A community recovery hub has been set up for the communities in Bargo, Buxton and Balmoral.
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The Recovery Hub is being co-ordinated by the CWA Picton president, Kerrie O'Grady, and Kim Hill from the Buxton RFS in conjunction with the Wollondilly and Wingecarribee Shires and a number of support services.
Initially set up in both Buxton and Balmoral Villages the Hub was initially for all those in Bargo, Buxton and Balmoral who lost their homes and now includes other villages throughout Wollondilly and Wingecarribee Shires including Wingello, Exeter and Bundanoon.
The Hub has had visits from the Governor of NSW, Margaret Beazley AC,QC, The Minister for Disaster Recovery and Deputy Premier of NSW, John Barilaro , local member Nathaniel Smith , Wollondilly mayor, Matthew Deeth and Wingecarribee mayor, Duncan Gair.
All have been impressed by the work carried out by the organisers and their band of volunteers.
Generous donations of non perishable foods, personal and household needs, as well as fresh fruit and vegetables were made available to the residents.
Trucks and trailer loads of goods have been donated, not only from our local communities, but also from much further afield, including Campbelltown, Canada Bay, Cowra, Melbourne, Lakemba and Bankstown.
The response was great that people have been asked to hold on to their goods until there is somewhere to store them.
Mrs O'Grady said the CWA members, and community volunteers sorted and packed up the mountains of goods as many hands were needed for this mammoth task.
"The list of people, businesses and other CWA branches, Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs supporting these efforts is limitless and constantly growing," she said.
"The Men's Sheds have been phenomenal with Canada Bay, Bargo, Thirroul, Tahmoor and Hill Top all coming along to assist."
Offers of accommodation have been sorted and directed to those who need somewhere to stay until their homes can be rebuilt.
Large furniture and white goods have been registered with Wollondilly Council so they can be made available when needed as storage of these is a problem.
"It is now at a stage where it will open two days a week, Wednesday and Sunday, between 10am -3pm to assist those who have been impacted by the recent bushfires," Mrs Hill said.
"One of the lessons learnt is that when people are considering collecting goods, be they clothing, furniture or food, they need to be aware that it is important to contact the beneficiaries to make sure they have the space and the capabilities to store and distribute those items.
"It is also important to ensure that roads heading to those area are safe to travel on."
There is also information available as to what services etc are available to those who have lost their homes.
There is now a website www. givit.org.au GIVIT where people can register what they can offer to give and also those in need after losing their homes can register what they need and the two can match up.
Those donating can specifically state what areas they are donating to.
Some of the generous donations have included a monetary donation of $7,000.00 to allow the purchase of chainsaw kits from Foursquare Church Westmead and a successful grant from Wollondilly Mayors relief fund of $9,350.00- all to be spent purchasing items for people affected by the fires.
If you can assist these efforts contact Kerrie O'Grady kez_5740@Hotmail.com : Kim Hill on 0412786114 , or the Wollondilly Resource Register on 1800 325 155.
The Picton CWA meets on the third Friday of every month at the Picton Uniting Church Hall in Lumsdaine St, Picton from 10-12. Next meeting, March 22. Visitors and new members always welcome.
