They have also enlisted the help of 'Ulladulla Videographers' for roles such as camera assist and runners. In return they will get some valuable on the job training.

If you would like to support this valuable project in the bushfire recovery efforts, click the donate button below. Donations are fully tax deductible via the Documentary Australia Foundation.

You can learn more about Australian documentary film WE ARE CONJOLA here: https://documentaryaustralia.com.au/project/conjola/

You can follow updates for We Are Conjola on their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/WeAreConjola/

On NYE 2019, fire almost wiped Lake Conjola on the NSW South Coast, off the map.

Questions have been raised as to how the fire started, and why very few resources were sent to protect the area.

After 144 houses were razed and lives sadly lost, the community waited for help.

But it never came.

The unlikely heroes in Conjola were the local artists whose poetry, paintings, sculptures, writing and music inspired the community to begin their pathway to recovery.

Film maker, Anthony Ash Brennan also lost his house on that day in Conjola Park, the hardest hit area.

Lake Conjola resident Peter Dunn is a consultant on the project. In many ways the community was fortunate that Peter and his wife Lindy were there to lead the Conjola recovery centre. The ex army major general lived in Canberra during the 2003 bushfires and was the commissioner for ACT emergency services. From there, he went onto consult for disaster relief around the world. Peter was also a member of the ex fire chiefs who warned the government of impending fire disaster a year ago.

WE ARE CONJOLA

DOCUMENTARY

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DUNNS ROAD FIREGROUND

LOCAL DONATION APPEAL

The Tragedy

To date we have no real idea of the numbers and we are sure these may change but to begin :

183 homes were lost with many more damaged,
untold damage to farm building sheds and machinery
Miles and miles of fencing and stock losses …
and over 30% of the soft wood plantations plus significant hardwood resources

The loss of both the built heritage and natural environment in the high country is simply catastrophic and heartbreaking for all those who have given so much in that area.

The loss of native vegetation across the fire-ground: the major trees and lower vegetation and ground cover all the animals in our unique ecosystem many are now locally extinct all of this is gut wrenching. The colony of platypus and all aquatic life in the Adelong creek and all effected waterways may well have suffered with the black water runoff as a result of the storm.

The loss of aboriginal heritage: to date there is no record of what has been lost scarred trees ring trees and special places for our traditional owners who used this whole area.

The more we learn and the more affected residents come forward this appeal becomes so important to assist the eligible residents and support our local economy

The Appeal

The Community Foundation for Tumut Region is a registered charity that has been instrumental in organising the Dunn’s Road Appeal.

Thank you to all those who have contributed to the Dunn’s Road Appeal. To date the Appeal is over $170,000. The funds will be distributed to eligible residents in the form of vouchers/ gift cards for goods and services from local businesses from Tumbarumba to Tumut, this includes Batlow and Adelong and roadside stalls with EFTPOS.

The funds will be distributed to eligible residents in the form of vouchers/gift cards for goods and services from local businesses for the entire Snowy Valleys Council area, from Tumbarumba to Tumut this includes Batlow and Adelong and roadside stalls with EFTPOS.

The Dunn’s road fire knew no boundaries and as a result the board of the Community Foundation have changed the area of the Foundation’s reach to include all who have been impacted by the horror of this listed blaze which includes residents of the old Tumbarumba Shire.

And nor does fundraising stop at boundaries, for which we are very grateful. Events have been and will be held in Wagga and Lockhart and a gala ball in Sydney. Many donors have come from far afield Hawaii, London and across Australia with generous support from our local communities.

The funds will not be accessed until May in the hope the Appeal will continue to attract further donors which equals more for the eligible recipients.

We shall try and accommodate the desire of donors for their donation to be used specifically as best we can, eg for Yaven creek, Batlow, Tumbarumba or the wider area that the fire consumed.

How Can You Help?

Donations are tax deductable and can be deposited with any branch of the Bendigo Community Bank, Ray White Real Estate or by direct deposit to the Community Foundation.

Direct Deposit information:

Name: Community Foundation for Tumut Region

BSB: 633000

Account No: 141406736

For a receipt: Please register your donation including your name and address and your preferred sub fund eg Batlow at email: info@tumutfoundation.org.au

For further information contact Australian Bushfire Help via the contact details at the bottom of the page or visit: http://tumutfoundation.org.au/fire-relief-donations/