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Toongabbie Drive-In Movie Night A Happy SuccessOver 100 people attended a free drive-in movie night at Toongabbie on Saturday, organised by Latrobe City’s recovery office to support the local community in its continuing recovery from last year’s bushfires. By Latrobe City Council - 19th July 2007 - Back to News A large inflatable projection screen was erected on the village green and the family movie ‘Happy Feet’, about a colony of singing penguins, was shown along with the DVD production of ‘From the ashes’, portraying 10 individual bushfire stories from the local community.
Latrobe City mayor, Councillor Tony Zimora, said that council’s recovery office had been supporting the Toongabbie and Cowwarr communities since the bushfires in December of last year.
"This event was organised to continue to assist the local community to rebuild after the traumatic events of December last year and more recently after the heavy rains and floods that have affected some parts of these communities again.
"It was also a great opportunity for the Wellington Latrobe Lions to raise funds for the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund, raising $187 from a sausage sizzle on the evening.
"The evening, though cold, was still and dry and the community turned out in force, with around 120 people arriving to watch both films," Cr Zimora said.
Latrobe City’s municipal recovery officer, Tracey Finlay said that screening ‘From the ashes’ was as much about community spirit as it was about recovery.
"The collection of moving and personal recollections of last year’s devastating bushfires was the culmination of a project designed to aid community recovery after the bushfires, by encouraging those affected to share their stories.
"Having events such as this movie night also aids that long process of rebuilding lives and homes. Being able to swap stories with or just spending time with similarly-affected members of the community is a great boost to residents in these areas. It sends the message that they are not alone.
"Recovery will be a long process but with council’s support and the aid of other community groups and organisations like Wellington Latrobe Lions and the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund, we will continue to provide positive and long-term assistance to these communities, in a variety of ways" Ms Finlay concluded.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com

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