FAWCETT Hall conducted a lovely ‘thank you’ event on Sunday, September 20. The event was very well attended, and provided the people of Fawcett and Koriella with the opportunity to say thank to the people and organisations who helped out during the post-fire recovery effort. The attendees were welcomed with individual food platters provided by Grant Street Grocer, providing an opportunity to sit and chat before the formalities commenced. Fawcett Hall president Sam Hicks, an integral person in the recovery in the area, said, “All of you have had an interaction with our hall, with myself, with our community in some way or another. Thank you very much. “We've got recovery organisations, community groups, service clubs, businesses, foundations, volunteers and individuals who have stood beside us, behind us over the last eight months and we really do appreciate every one of you,” she said, making particular note of the support from Foundation Murrindindi and of the efforts of Koriella Fire Brigade in saving the hall. She added, “For all of you who travelled up from Melbourne today, you might have had a little bit of a shock about how green we actually are. And for all intents and purposes, it looks like we're back to normal, but we are not back to normal, this is our new normal. You have to look past the fences and see the fences that are not done. The burnt equipment in paddocks… We're still on our recovery journey. Recovery doesn't finish when the grass grows back. Fencing remains unfinished, clean up continues and people are still rebuilding their homes, properties and lives.” Thank you certificates were provided to a large number of people and organisations, with one particular certificate being very special. Hudson is aged just seven. Sam said, “Hudson decided that our little hall needed help.” Hudson’s family has a connection with the hall that goes back many generations. He spent weeks collecting cans to raise money for them. The hard-working members of the hall committee and other locals were also profusely thanked. A board which lists supporters who provided post-fire assistance was then unveiled at the event. There was also plenty of joking about the ongoing song, “We need a bridge.” The bridge is vital to the recovery of the area.
