WEBBER THROWS SUPPORT BEHIND VICTORIAN BUSHFIRE COMMUNITIES

Red Bull Racing driver Mark Webber today made a private visit to the bushfire devastated areas of St Andrews and Kinglake and Kinglake West.

The Australian driver was keen to witness for himself the impact of the fires which had saddened him when he first saw them on television in the UK following ‘Black Saturday’.

On his first trip back to Australia since the fires, Webber had asked to meet with affected locals and see whether there was any contribution he could make to the rebuilding efforts.

Commented Mark, “Obviously devastation of this enormity leaves you feeling quite empty for the loss of life and property that the people here have had to deal with.

“As an Australian living abroad I’ve been humbled by the amazing response of the Australian people to the Bushfire Appeal and I suppose like most others just wanted to do something to help these people in a small way.”

Wildlife Victoria kindly arranged for him to visit the Wildhaven Wildlife Shelter where Stella and Alan Reid have cared for injured native animals for over a decade.  They not only lost the animal shelter and all but two of the animals in the fire which swept through St Andrews, but also their house.  Alan like so many others was lucky to survive when the fire attacked the property from three sides while Stella was helping to fight the fire at a neighbouring property.

In addition to seeing a number of the 1600 houses destroyed in the Kinglake Ranges area alone, Webber also caught up with Kinglake West Adventure Camp owner Colin French who was grateful  to escape with his and the lives of his family and colleagues.  His adventure camp at this time of year would normally be packed with excited kids enjoying the unique environment and resources that the camp had to offer. Like many others, Colin is determined to rebuild his business.

Webber also met Geoff Proctor who runs a business which utilises the Kinglake Ranges natural beauty in his business, Australian Adventure Experience. Geoff is also chairman of a local tourism board which faces the challenge of building new plans to get tourists and other visitors back to an area which is based largely on the natural environment.  Work is already underway on these plans although Geoff was quick to point out that it will take time.

Webber continued, “What became very obvious to me today is that among all of the mass destruction, there is an absolute determination to rebuild these communities and businesses.  I think as a bigger community we need to make sure we assist this process as much as we can and return to these areas and support these businesses.”

As a part of his contribution to the bushfire fundraising campaign, Webber himself has determined that all royalties owed to him through the sale of his personal merchandise range will also be donated to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal. The 09 range will be on sale at the Albert Park track this weekend and also on-line at www.markwebber.com