Statement
Geelong Trades Hall Council expresses our deepest sympathy to the families that have lost loved ones in the Victorian Bushfire Disaster.
The trade union movement through the ACTU donated $250,000 to the Appeal last Monday and is currently doing a round of collections from job sites and workplaces to add to the community effort. You can contact Geelong Trades Hall on 5221 1712 for the bank account details of the Red Cross relief fund or if you need assistance with collections.
Geelong Trades Hall is discussing with the Red Cross Blood Bank the possibility of having the mobile blood bank visit large workplaces, in the meantime we urge all members to give blood by making an appointment with the Red Cross in Geelong on 52267547 or 131495. If you are experiencing any problems with getting time off work for the appointment please contact Geelong Trades Hall.
We are aware of union members and officials that have lost their homes and family members in the fires. Many of the unions are currently preparing list of affected members and organising volunteers to support them.
The Gippsland Trades Hall is organising union members into relief teams to help with the clean up and repairs in their area. If you have been affected in some way or would like to volunteer to help with the relief efforts please contact your union or call us here at Geelong Trades Hall on 5221 1712.
One word of warning, if you do volunteer to go and help family or relief teams in fire affected areas remember, that most of the houses will have asbestos dust in them. After the fire the asbestos will be loose and easily breathed in. Asbestos exposure and resulting deaths is Australia’s worst man-made disaster. So let’s not make a bad situation worse – wear the correct mask that is fitted properly and safety equipment. If you are not sure about what equipment to use please contact Geelong Trades Hall.
