Thursday, 22 February 2024

Bass electorate storms

Jordan CRUGNALE (Bass) (10:01): In adversity our community is beyond extraordinary. They get out and act. Their spirit of generosity and care is immeasurable. My heartfelt gratitude to our SES units and CFA brigades and a remarkable band of community volunteers across my electorate of Bass who responded to last Tuesday’s storm event, which tore through our area, leaving fallen powerlines and toppled trees, roofs were sent flying, cars were damaged, sheds crushed and power and phones out for days. They put others above themselves to help clear and clean up yards, streets and highways. Your dedication, hard work and community spirit is so appreciated.

This generosity of spirit extended to so many small businesses all putting their products, produce and services in the big toolbox of wares required and community members dropping off generators to make sure local stores could continue supplying essentials and farmers could milk cattle. Pharmacies operated in the dark, ensuring medicines were dispensed. Teachers at our schools and kinders continued to provide a welcoming learning environment through outages; our kids are remarkably resilient and caring. The Bass Coast Health and Koo Wee Rup and district health service teams immediately went out to check on those needing support and care. They too are all heart. Our paramedics and police were equally visible and present. To everyone that assisted and continues to do so across our community centres – clubs, Red Cross, government agencies, councils – it is a glorious collective that has time and again shown its true community colours.