Bush fire relief

[pupsta]

Great effort for everyone to support kinglake with the tragedy that happened there in february this year. all the donations etc, support from the PM etc was great and warranted and hopefully it keeps the club alive for many years to come.

so in no way is this a whinge on kinglake.

BUT where is the support for Thornton/Eildon and Alexandra which half of their team come from the equally as devastated Marysville and Yea that have players from flowerdale etc. Thornton had the channel 10 news come up and do a 2 minute news piece and alex and yea nothing. No fundraisers at crown or donations from corporates. It seems that they are too far away from the city for the public, celebrity and political groups to travel to to get exposure for helping.

I know for a fact that T/E have in excess of 14 players that lost everything inc. family members from Marysville, Narbethong, Buxton areas and alex were not far behind and im not sure of yeas losses. For struggling financial clubs like those anything would help.

This is just my opinion and not aimed at anyone on the forum but just seeing if anyone else thinks the same or has any reasons why the country clubs get no help.

Thornton has just received a grant that they have been waiting years for to do some work on the asthetics of the club but it doesnt go very far.

 

[Totallytrue]

Pupsta, you have said what I have wondered for quite a while. The events that occurred on Black Saturday you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. But, as you said, Kinglake was not the only club affected. Different posts on this forum have been very kind to Alex, but what else could be written about a club who has suffered like they, and other clubs, have.

It will be interesting to see how Kinglake go next season as they will be just "another" club playing local footy.

I would love to be a fly on the wall at the AGM of Kinglake, as I imagine their financial position would make a lot of clubs, in any league, blush. Having said that, it would be fascinating if all clubs made their financial reports public.

 

[Vo Rogue]

Interesting and probably very controversial topic. Having very close access to both sides of the argument, Kinglake rode the media wave as they were instructed and entitled to do all year with maximum effect. Taking Kinglake sources on face value any profits made have been pushed back into the community rebuilding efforts. Very little money raised has been kept by the football club.
Hopefully this year a couple of other clubs will be able to step up alongside Kinglake and get some help going forward in getting over the setbacks of the last 12 months. Lets not begrudge anyone in the region any help we can get in making football stronger in the area.

 

[TEDFNC]

Pupsta,
I think your right we had around 14 footballers/netballers that lost their homes on that shocking day around the Marysville, Buxton and Narbethong area plus many more of our ex players, supporters and sponsors.
Obviously it's been a very hard year for all these people and some haven't played/been to the footy and some are now only heading back to Marysville which was virtually wiped off the map with only a handful of buildings left standing. We have recieved some support from various groups which we are extremely grateful for and thank them alot.
As for the other clubs I am unsure of the effects but obviously Kinglake, Alex, Yea and Yarra Glen have all been affected. Unsure why the difference in media exposure as there were quite a few clubs down in gippsland affected as well we didnt hear much about but we can't control/help that so we just go along with our business and push forward

You are right pupsta the rooms are having a bit of an upgrade aesthetically and should look alot better when completed. And your right in saying we have waited for quite a few years to finally get this grant from the shire.

 

[TeeS]

There's a couple of issues here, and I certainly can appreciate where you're coming from Pup, its been mentioned a few times this year around the traps.

Firstly, and I'm unsure of the exact number, but i think over 70 people died in Kinglake. That would have a massive impact on a small community that also has 99% of its populus that have lost everything.

Secondly, our boy Rick "Teddy" Wall was a fulltime administrator for KFNC this year, AFL appointed. Now I've never asked Rick how that appointment came about but its fair to say that in his full time position, he has generated alot of whats taken place in the last 7-8 months. The Kinglake President has said in passing "he has no idea what they are going to do without Rick next year" or very similar words.

Next year will alot more difficult for KFNC. They will still have a town thats lost over 70 lives and a population that doesn't have any possesions. The back patters and "hanger onerers" that have milked them at different times (and thats only some, for most people have been very genuine and generous) will no longer be around and the Lakers will be on their own.

I do see your side of the story Pup but these guys have been smashed from every angle as well and I'm not too uncomfortable with what we've seen this year !

 

[Cagga]

I hear what you are saying but its all about PR, lobbying & yes having the time & a dedicated person to do this. I am certain if Marysville had its own team within the town we would have seen a similar occurance.
What you say is the reality of life if T/E township had of burnt to the ground I think a different scenario would have been seen.