Cudlee Creek Bushfire – How You Can Help
On Friday 20 December 2019 a fast moving, ferocious and highly destructive bushfire moved through the Adelaide Hills, taking a life, destroying homes, livestock, animals, vineyards, buildings, crops and grazing land.
It has been heartbreaking to watch, to hear and to read the stories of destruction as a result of the Cudlee Creek fires. We’ve also been witnessing the beautiful hills community and beyond reaching out to give their time, money and resources to help all those affected by the fires. We are in awe of all the fire fighters and emergency services who have risked their lives and worked tirelessly during this tragedy.
The bushfires have caused one death, injured many; at last count it has destroyed 87 houses and over 500 structures. It’s so hard to comprehend this devastation and has brought us to tears.
Many Adelaide Hills businesses have been directly impacted by the fire. Swathes of vineyards have been destroyed and wineries affected. Local food producers have also been affected.
Many wine grape growers have been affected by the fire, as well as apple and pear growers. Tilbrook Wines has been destroyed, Vinteloper Wines lost nearly everything, while Golding Wines, Barristers Block, Beal & Co, Simon Tolley Wines, New Era Vineyards and Emmeline Wines have also had significant damage. Other wineries that were affected include Anderson Hill, Artwine, Bird in Hand, Geoff Weaver, Henschke Wines, Nova Vita Wines, Petaluma, Tomich Wines and Turon Wines.
There are many incredibly sad stories of local businesses suffering loss. For example, Udder Delights cheese factory have had to throw out all their stock in their factory (this may be up to 40,000 kgs) – with power outages, the conditions have meant the cheese has been ruined.
Livestock, crop damage and wildlife affected are still to be determined. Local businesses have suffered the loss of produce from power outages and had closures, therefore have had trading lost during a usually busy period, which will take time to recover from. Sadly the Lobethal Lights have been cancelled as well.
We outlined the terrible consequences of the bushfires in our Facebook post here:
❤️ Donate Money
The Department of Human Services recommends donating money directly to St Vincent de Paul. This money will then be directly given to those affected.
Donating money is encouraged before donating goods as this money can be used by families as they need.
Follow the Department of Human Services Facebook page for more information – SA Recovery Facebook page.
CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO THE VINNIES SA BUSHFIRE APPEAL
You might also choose to support the amazing Country Fire Service personnel who have worked tirelessly to try and get this destructive blaze under control in absolutely terrible conditions.
CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO THE COUNTRY FIRE SERVICE
The Cudlee Creek fire has been declared an emergency by the Governor of South Australia and the State Emergency Relief Fund (SERF) has been established by the Marshall Liberal Government.
The fund – to be managed by a five-member committee – will accept and distribute financial donations to the families and businesses who have lost their homes and livelihoods in the wake of the tragedy.
The committee, comprised of four State Government employees and one community member, will manage the fund and ensure public donations are distributed appropriately and fairly.
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DONATING TO THE SERF
❤️ Support Local Adelaide Hills Businesses
You can also show your support for Adelaide Hills businesses that have been affected by buying produce sourced from the region and visiting Adelaide Hills cafes, restaurants and wineries to eat and drink. When you shop, try and support producers like Tweedvale Milk, Udder Delights and Melba’s Chocolates and keep a lookout for fruit and vegetable suppliers in Adelaide that buy their produce directly from the Adelaide Hills.
Here’s a list of wineries that have been affected: (READ MORE HERE on how you can best support them)
Barrister’s Block Winery, Vinteloper, Golding Wines, Henschke, Tomich Wines, Anderson Hill, Turon Wines, Simon Tolley Wines, Bird In Hand Winery, Barristers Block Premium Wines, Tilbrook Estate, ArtWine Estate, Nova Vita Wines, Emmeline Wines, Petaluma Wine, Peter Parsons Vineyard and Geoff Weaver Wines.
Keep on showing support for our cherry growers by picking cherries or buying cherries from the Adelaide Hills too.
CLICK HERE to find out where to pick cherries but please double-check their Facebook pages or ring in advance to ensure they are open.
Travellers to the Adelaide Hills are warned to remain vigilant due to the ongoing threat of fire breaking out in the area. Please also be aware that some roads may be closed. Also, out of respect for families and businesses, please avoid fire affected areas until it is safe and appropriate to do so. Follow SA CFS Updates Facebook page for updates on road closures.
❤️ Volunteer Your Time
There may also be practical ways that you can help over the next few days, weeks and months.
- Visit the Bushfires SA Assistance Facebook page for ideas on how you can volunteer to help in a practical way. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO.
- Blaze Aid – this volunteer organisation works to help rebuild rural fences. CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE
- Lend practical assistance to Tilbrook Wines. Find out more on their Facebook page here
In the longer term, if you have a green thumb, please consider growing some cuttings for residents with gardens affected by fire so that they can re-establish their cherished gardens which have been damaged. This will also help recreate a habitat for animals and birds that will have been pushed out of these areas.
At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.
Image Source: Play & Go
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