The Phoenix
FREE
newspaper
Free Community Newspaper for the People of the Bushfire Affected Areas
Incorporating the tradition of ‘The Evelyn Observer’ (Est. 1873), Kinglake Advertiser, Whittlesea Advertiser, Diamond Valley Advertiser, Yarra Ranges Advertiser and Yea Advertiser
thephoenix.com.au
PHONE: 1-800 231 311. FAX: 1-800 231 312.
editor@thephoenix.com.au FREE
SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2009
Vol. 1 No. 1
Welcome to your special new local newspaper This is the first issue of The Phoenix - a new local newspaper with a very special purpose. Our mission is to lend a hand to the people of the areas affected by the horrible ‘Black Saturday’ bushfires in which more than 200 people died, and in which about 2000 homes were destroyed. We aim to be a positive and encouraging influence. We aim to add strength to local people and their recovery.
The Phoenix is a FREE local newspaper. We also have a FREE website for local people to create as their own, and to take their message to the world: www.thephoenix.com.au Our services are FREE. You can reach us on a FREE phone number: 1-800 231 311. You can fax us on a FREE number: 1-800 231 312. The Phoenix will also provide TOTALLY FREE ADVERTISING listings to all local businesses in the region.
The FREE advertising listings in The Phoenix - on an ongoing basis - are to help local business people get back on their feet. We want to encourage local people to do business with local people. We know it will be a long haul. The FREE advertising listings in The Phoenix will be one less cost-burden. We can also arrange FREE advertising listings for you in some other newspapers. The Phoenix is mindful that more than 70 per cent of the Murrindindi
Shire alone has been knocked by this awful catastrophe. The devastation is also wide spread through communities in the Nillumbik, Whittlesea, Mitchell and Yarra Ranges municipalities. The economic effect must also be confronted. The Phoenix is as a community service project by Local Media Pty Ltd. We will be inviting ‘outside’ businesses from around Australia to work with us. Let’s get on with it. - Ash Long, Editor
‘OUR FIRST OBLIGATION IS HOPE’ Flowerdale begins the re-build
● Christine Nixon, Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority chief, at Flowerdale
And Arthurs Creek mourns
● Wednesday saw a funeral service for firefighter John Shepherd killed at Strathewen
KINGLAKE, MARYSVILLE LOCALS WAIT TO RETURN
IT IS one month since the ‘Black Saturday’ fires which created the worst disaster in Victoria’s history. On that day temperatures reached 48°C and beyond, and an unprecedented firestorm wiped out entire communities, taking more than 200 lives. Hardest hit were Marysville (45 dead), Strathewen (42), Kinglake (38), and St Andrews (22). More people were killed at Kinglake West, Flowerdale, Humevale, Narbethong, Whittlesea, Toolangi, Strath Creek, Heathcote Junction, Mittons Bridge, Reedy Creek, Upper Plenty and Cambarville. Fires devastated other areas in Victoria including Gippsland, Bendigo and near Beechworth. Other fatalities were suffered at Calignee, Koornalla, Churchill, Eaglehawk and Mudgegonga. Many more people were injured in the horror blazes. Thousands of people have been left homeless. The Australian community was quick to donate goods and cash for the victims. The Red Cross became the focal point for donations; $208 million has been raised to date. Former State Governor John Landy has been appointed chairman of an independent advisory panel to recommend criteria for the distribution of the Appeal funds. Other members of the Panel are Professor Glyn Davis of the University of Melbourne; former Deputy Premier Pat McNamara; Cr Lyn Gunter, Mayor of Murrindindi Shire Council, and Robert Tickner CEO of Australian Red Cross. Christine Nixon, former Victoria Police Chief Commissioner, has been appointed to head
YOUR FREE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
● A ‘Black Saturday’ memorial on the Melba Hwy near Toolangi and Castella
the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority. CFA and SES volunteers continue to be active in working against continuing fire hotspots across the state. Rain has arrived. Community volunteers, support agencies and councils have toiled hard to bring relief to survivors. At Whittlesea Shire, Mayor Cr Mary Lalios, commented on the responsibility of community leaders: “Our first obligation is hope. “Our prayers and thoughts are with those directly impacted by fires, those who are grieving the loss of family members and friends, had their homes destroyed or suffered injuries. It was only on Wednesday (March 4) that the status of the Kilmore - Murrindindi fire was downgraded. As The Phoenix goes to press, some residents at areas including Kinglake and Marysville are yet to be permitted to return to their homes. State Coroner Jennifer Coate has ordered extensive researches through the areas.