An island fundraiser has raised about $10,000 in support of the victims of a multi-house fire on Russell Island in August.
The fundraiser was the brainchild of Australia Day, Bravery Trust, White Ribbon, Black Dog Institute Australia and New Zealand Mental Health Association ambassador Kevin Hughes.
“I used to work as a fire fighter and when I heard about this fire, it disturbed me. I thought if you don’t do something, no one else will,” he said.
Kevin said he coordinated with Australian-Speakers.com’s and Beaconsfield mine survivor Brant Webb and Club Macleay manager Luke Jobson to organise a charity dinner in just four weeks. The sold-out event on September 23 involved Olivia Newton-John’s niece Tottie Goldsmith as emcee and Dean Vegas doing a tribute to Elvis.
Funds were also raised at an auction held on the night.
Kevin said the money was going to South Moreton Bay Island Listeners president Hilton Travis to distribute as needed to the fire victims.
This includes houses affected on either side of the property where multiple lives were lost.
Kevin and his wife Debrena have volunteered for multiple causes including working for 10 months on a 180,000-acre drought-affected sheep farm, rebuilding fire ravaged Kangaroo Island and delivering calves for five months on Flinders Island.
He returned to Macleay Island recently to seek treatment for his third bout of cancer.
