Local Red Cross Emergency Services team members have been assisting residents fleeing the Victorian fires that have raged over the weekend. In a first for cross border support, the team which has members from Merimbula, Bega, Cooma and Bombala has been assisting Victorian Red Cross at Delegate where the tent city, set up for those fleeing the fire and for emergency services personnel, came under ember attack on Sunday, February 9.
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Emergency services liaison officer for the South East region, Loretta Fella, said: “The team, consisting of 12 personal support volunteers, has been on a four day deployment at the request of the Victorian Red Cross. That team will be replaced by another team of six volunteers from the south east region as from Wedneday, February 12 at 8am until Saturday as required."
Ms Fella said that NSW and ACT Rural Fire Service personnel were also present and housed at the large tent city which was set up in Delegate township.
“Disaster affected people have arrived at the relief centre at the Delegate Country Club from many isolated communities in the northern region.”
Ms Fella said that people came to the Delegate Country Club as it had been nominated as a Relief Centre or Evacuation Centre. People also travelled with caravans and set up around the club and were able to use the club’s facilities.
Yesterday morning Watch and Act messages were still active for the Bonang, Cabanandra, Deddick Valley, Dellicknora, Tubbut areas relating to the fire which originated 20km north west of Goongerah.
The Victorian Country Fire Authority (CFA) said that the bushfire was still burning actively in places and firefighters continued to work to contain it.
It is believed that there has been property loss in the area and a community meeting at the Delegate Country Club is expected to take place on Wednesday, February 12 at lunchtime.