THE Merriwa-Sir Ivan Bushfire Fundraising Appeal is calling for those affected by the Sir Ivan fire earlier this year to fill out application forms by the end of the month.
The application process is set to close on August 31 with the fundraising project drawing to a conclusion after 540 head have already come into the Alexander Downs feedlot at Merriwa.
The community came together to assist landholders and residents in the Cassilis, Dunedoo and Coolah districts devastated by the fire by offering donations of either cattle or money to the appeal.
Robert Gill of Alexander Downs said out of the donated or purchased stock around 300 of those have already been sold with the money going back to those affected.
“The response we are getting is positive, the cattle are averaging quite nicely at around $1700 a head and another 100 odd head were sold to Woolworths last week.”
Last weeks’ pick-up of Sir Ivan Fire cattle from Alexander Downs were taken to Tamworth by Martins Stock Haulage.
The appeal fund is expected to top $1 million with the remaining cattle to be sold within the next two months.
It aims to support business’s and individuals who found their ability to carry on with their livelihoods were impacted due to loss or damage of infrastructure, tools of trade or equipment from the fire.
Chariman of the Sir Ivan Fire Committee Rob Tindall said the committee is currently still handing out application forms for funding.
“At the present time we are calling for application forms from those affected.
“This is people’s opportunity for the damage to be assessed and we are considering applications from anyone who was affected by the fire,” he said.
Application forms are available from agencies assisting with the recovery, from rural produce stores, or can be downloaded from the NSW Farmers website: http://www.nswfarmers.org.au/home/2017_bushfire_appeal.
The story End near for Sir-Ivan Appeal first appeared on The Singleton Argus.
