MASTER BUILDERS Australia has announced that it is donating $150,000 to support those communities affected by the devastating bushfires and the tireless and courageous efforts of those who are fighting them. 

“The Master Builders movement, encompassing Master Builders’ national office, Master Builders Associations in each state and territory and MBA Insurance Services is making this donation to support their local communities to provide assistance in the immediate crisis. It is only the first step in our commitment to help affected communities to recover and rebuild their lives,” Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn said. 

“Master Builders Associations around the country are also actively encouraging their members to donate to the official fundraising appeals established by government and national charities the Red Cross, Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul and are also providing hands on support and advice. 

“Right now we have many members and staff in regional Australia and many of those in affected communities are volunteering in the firefighting and recovery effort. Our offices in affected regions will play a vital role in helping local builders and tradies to get back on their feet,” Ms Wawn said. 

“Master Builders is also providing support to our many members in affected communities whose businesses have been negatively impacted, including with assistance and advice on insurance related matters. 

 “Helping local economies in affected towns and regions to recover will be crucial to the recovery of those communities and their residents. The Master Builders community will be working to ensure that local builders and tradespeople are engaged to conduct reconstruction work in their local communities,” Ms Wawn said. 

“Master Builders Australia and Master Builders Associations are in contact with federal and state governments as they plan the reconstruction that will follow once the current crisis has passed recognising that the nation still faces two more months of the traditional bushfire season. We are committed to continue to provide whatever assistance that we can."

www.masterbuilders.com.au

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PVH CORP, one of the world’s largest apparel companies and owner of iconic brands, including Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger and Van Heusen, has announced a A$100,000 contribution to the Australian Red Cross Disaster and Recovery Fund.

A company spokesperson said the contribution specifically supports immediate rescue and relief efforts as the unprecedented bushfires sweep through Australia, as well as long-term recovery and rebuilding.

PVH expanded its presence in Australia last year with the acquisition of Gazal Corporation Limited, a long-time business partner in Australia and New Zealand, most recently as PVH’s joint venture partner in PVH Brands Australia.

“We are devastated by the tragic bushfires impacting the people, communities and wildlife in our beautiful country,” said Michael Gazal, PVH Australia chairman. “Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this disaster. We thank the brave firefighters, volunteers and emergency personnel for committing their time and resources to the recovery efforts.”

All contributions made at Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger and Van Heusen stores in Australia during the month of January will be donated to the Australian Red Cross Bushfire Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund. No purchase is required.

About PVH Corp.

PVH is one of the most admired fashion and lifestyle companies in the world. The PVH brand portfolio includes the iconic Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger and Van Heusen, iZod, Arrow, Speedo, Warner's, Olga and Geoffrey Beene brands, as well as the digital-centric True&Co. and Nancy Ganz intimates brands. PVH markets a variety of goods under these and other nationally and internationally known owned and licensed brands. PVH has over 38,000 associates operating in over 40 countries and $9.7 billion in annual revenues. *The Speedo brand is licensed for North America and the Caribbean in perpetuity from Speedo International Limited.

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LLOYDS Bushfire Relief Auctions will be online this week with all proceeds going directly to fire affected communities, fire-fighters and volunteers with the first auction online now featuring a 2010 AFL Premiership Medal of the Collingwood Magpies, owned by Dayne Beams.

“In less than 24 hours since going live, our phones have been ringing off the hook, we are astounded with the amount of support from the public, companies and celebrities donating items to support fellow Australians in need,” Lloyds Auctions chief operations officer Lee Hames said.

“There will be zero costs and zero fees with 100 percent of funds donated to charities and fire services including the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Wires and the RFS,” he said.

“We anticipate to now hold a series of auctions in this next week which could raise millions of dollars due to the huge response from people wanting to donate whatever they can, whether it be an item, service or experience,” Mr Hames said.

“We will be continuing to publish hundreds of lots in the coming days so we encourage the public wanting to get involved to keep checking the website for updates where I can say we have some very exciting and popular items up for grabs.

“Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and NSW Rural Fire Services have stated that cash is critical as charities struggle to sort through donated goods, so this is a perfect way of turning donated items into cash for these communities,” Mr Hames said.

“As these unprecedented bushfires tear through Australia, we want to help as many fire-affected lives as possible.”

To assist, contact www.lloydsauctions.com.au/donatenow.

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THE CLIMATE COUNCIL has welcomed the Federal Government announcement of $2 billion for bushfire recovery, but warns effective recovery must build in resilience to a rapidly changing climate.

“The unprecedented and horrific bushfires show us clearly that Australia is unprepared for worsening extreme weather, ” Climate Council CEO, Amanda McKenzie said.

“As we come to terms with the impact of these fires we must also understand that the Australian climate has changed forever. The southeast is hotter and fire conditions are more dangerous than they were in the past,” she said. 

“The process of rebuilding must carefully assess how the climate has changed and is likely to continue to become more extreme in the future. This means there will be hard decisions to make in terms of how we rebuild.

“The good news is we can rebuild in a way that both tackles climate change and builds greater resilience for communities. For instance, decentralised renewable energy can provide power to communities that may otherwise have been cut off, while also reducing reliance on fossil fuels,” Ms McKenzie said. 

Money for recovery without a coherent climate policy will be wasted.

“The government’s focus on continuing Australia’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels means that extreme weather will worsen dramatically over the next decades. We cannot afford it,” Ms McKenzie said. 

“The government must use these fires as an opportunity to fundamentally change their approach. For over six years the Federal Government has had no credible climate policy. Today the economic, personal and environmental costs of failing to tackle climate change are staring us all in the face,” she said. 

“Despite the warnings, the Federal Government has been flatfooted in its response to this disaster, partly because they failed to accept the fact that the climate has changed. This cannot happen again,” Ms McKenzie said. 

climatecouncil.org.au

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