FIRE IN WARD 10
Dear Community of Betty’s Bay,
As the embers cool and the smoke dissipates, it is time to reflect on the remarkable journey we undertook together during the recent wildfire crisis. Our community’s response was nothing short of extraordinary, and I am honoured to share with you the impact of your generosity and unwavering support.
The Leftover Rations and Meals: A Testament to Unity In the chaos of firefighting, we found ourselves with three batches of leftover provisions:
Batch 1: Water and goody bags for our valiant firefighters. These essentials were swiftly collected and transported to the Overstrand Disaster Management Store.
Batch 2: Our available food inventory was picked up by traffic personnel and directly delivered to Gansbaai, bolstering their fire line efforts.
Batch 3: Our volunteer firefighters, led by Shannon, ensured that the remaining provisions reached Gansbaai, too.
The Unclaimed Cooked Meals: Sacrifices on the Fire Line despite our best efforts, there were occasions when cooked meals went unclaimed. The demands of the fire line often left our brave firefighters with little time to pause and nourish themselves. This sacrifice is a testament to their unwavering commitment. Let us honour their resilience. These cooked meals were given to the Mooiuitsig community as instructed by the OM coordinator and to our delight.
Quantifying Our Impact Together: We prepared –
+2400 meals of which each plate carried not just sustenance but also a message of solidarity. The Joint Operations Centre (JOC) team was also looked after
1600 goody bags: Small tokens of appreciation that spoke volumes.
2000 litres of water: A lifeline for those who battled the flames.
Medical supplies: While exact numbers elude us, we distributed headache tablets, eye gel, eye wash, lozenges, and soothing Halls sweets to team leaders.
Looking Ahead: Preparedness and Hope: As we gather for a disaster management debrief, let us celebrate our successes and learn from our challenges. Preparedness will be our watchword. We must stand ready for the worst while hoping for the best. Together, we can weather any storm.
The Crassula Team
Liezel Bohdanowicz Abigail Davids Adele Scheepers
Alexandra Watson Carole Roberts Chantel Taylor
Charm Charmaine (Delli D-Lite) Cici
Conrad Louw Debby Elizabeth Marzo
Engela Verwey Euginie Campbell Fiona Christelis (Rooiels)
Gloudine Swart Hannalie Gerber Janet Hornbrook
Jenny Maher Jolene Heughs Kim
Kim Gregory Lee-Ann McCleland Leila Schollar
Lynn Trickey Marie Vorster Mary-Louise Van Rooyen
Micaela Nicolette Botha Olwyn Mc Gill
Patricia Smit Penny Beauchamp Robs
Stefanie Van Zyl Sue Weaver Taryn Truter
Willem Pretorius Yvone Roux Carien
Debbie Hannah Heila van Niekerk
Jan Joubert Karen (Oppibay) Leilani Acutt
Lesley Lucille Maryke
Niel van der Watt Steph Milne Tersia Starke
TLC Ceramics Vanessa Dave
There were 2 cell numbers without names unfortunately and people’s names that are not on this official list that also came and formed part of this team without being on the group at the time of consolidation.
In closing, I extend my deepest gratitude to each one of you. Our community’s resilience knows no bounds. Let us continue to support one another, nurture our bonds, and emerge stronger from the ashes.
With heartfelt gratitude and kind regards
7 February 2024
(WR JACKSON)
BETTY’S BAY RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION: CHAIRMAN