“Not matter how far or how wide I roam, I still call Australia home.”
The words from one of Australia’s most poignant songs, written by Peter Allen, ring true for Aussies living in Vancouver right now, as they rally to support their homeland from afar as it continues to battle a catastrophic bushfire season.
Watching the devastation unfold has spurred strong camaraderie among Aussie ex-pats who are working together to come up with ways to help raise much-needed funds to send to charities aiding people affected by the blazes and to support firefighter services on the front-lines.
Since September last year, bushfires have burned more than 8.4m hectares of land across the country, close to 2000 homes have been destroyed and 24 people have died. The fires have also had a devastating impact on native wildlife, with Professor Chris Dickman, from the University of Sydney, estimating 480 million animals have been killed.
A favourite Aussie ex-pat watering hole, Moose’s Down Under Bar and Grill, is one of the venues stepping up to help out. Owner Corina Aquino, who is originally from Perth, Western Australia, has lived in Vancouver for 30 years and opened the pub, that serves Aussie comfort food, 25 years ago when she began to miss home.
In true Aussie style, Moose’s is donating $1 from every parmigiana a.k.a 'parmie', super parmie and meat pie sold to bushfire relief throughout January.
Moose's Down Under Bar and Grill owner Corina Aquino: Photo: Moose's Down Under Facebook page. On top of this, Aquino said Moose’s would be collecting donations and holding meat raffles at its popular upcoming series of Australia Day events marked for Jan. 24 and 25. Aquino said it was hard not to feel helpless being so far away, but she wanted to do what she could to help and encouraged others to take part in the events.
“I think camaraderie helps when everyone is feeling depressed about the fires,” she said.
“It’s kind of scary—because I know so many people and I’m worried about them.
"I have some ex-employees who finished their work visas and moved back home and they’ve been impacted by the fires. One of the guys, his house was surrounded by fires but he got out of the area and he’s safe.”
Moose’s has raised $600 and counting.
“Every little bit counts and people have been really generous. They’ve just been coming in and dropping in donations,” Aquino said.
Meanwhile, Aussie ex-pats Rhona Rees, from Melbourne, Pauline Egan, from Queensland, and Tee Haynes, from Western Australia, have banded together to organise an Aussie themed movie marathon at the Rio Theatre.
The trio is hoping to fill the Rio’s 400 seats and raise $20,000 for bushfire relief at their ‘Mad Max-athon For Aussie Fire Relief’ being held Saturday, Jan. 25. As local actors, Rees and Egan thought a movie marathon would be a fitting way to support the cause and to make use of their networks.
Having family in rural Victoria, where a State of Disaster has been declared, Rees said she just had an “urge that kept coming up to help.”
Devastating bushfires continue to rage across parts of Australia. Photo: My Fire Watch / W.A. Government“I just can’t quite fathom the scale of these catastrophic fires that cannot be put out,” Rees, who’s lived in Vancouver for eight years and is now a dual-citizen, said.
“We felt we needed to do something with that sense of horror and despair.
“We're hoping the marathon will be a really fun day that’s not just for Aussies, or people who have a connection to Australia, but for anyone who loves movies and wants to come out for a good cause.”
Vancouver Australian Rules Football Club West Coast Saints is also organizing an Aussie Day event at Castaways Bar & Kitchen Jan. 26 to support folks Down Under.
Morgan King, who runs the club’s social committee, said it was an important time for Aussies to support each other.
“I think everyone feels a little bit helpless to a certain degree,” King said.
“You just see brutal images on telly [television] or on social media all the time, so I think everyone is just keen to get around each other and try and raise some money for those back home.”
King said, his family was currently safe from the fire threat, living in Melbourne and Sydney cities; but his thoughts were with other families who hadn’t been so lucky.
“There are a couple of guys in the club who have family that has been affected quite heavily,” he said.
“Their families have been evacuated or are trying to save their properties, so we are definitely thinking about those guys.”
The club hopes to raise money for a variety of charities and services.
“100 per cent of the funds will be going back to Australia,” King said.
“Just come down for a couple of beers and contribute. It all counts, anything you can do. We’d love to see you there."
The events will be in support of many charities and fire services including, but not limited to, BlazeAid – who are currently working to repair fences for farmers, NSW Rural Fire Services and Victoria’s Country Fire Service, which are currently the hardest-hit states.
Event details
Moose’s Down Under upcoming Aussie Fire relief events:
As usual, Moose's will be hosting two parties in honour of Australia Day. Both of the events are an opportunity to raise much-needed money to assist with the devastating bushfire crisis. Stay up to date with upcoming events at Moose’s HERE.
Live Triple J Hottest 100 Party
The pub will be broadcasting the Triple J Hottest 100. For those who don't know it's an annual music poll hosted by the government-funded, national Australian radio station, Triple J. All are invited to wear green and gold, bring their flags and enjoy some good Aussie tucker and drink specials until they cark it. The night will also include raffles.
When: Jan. 24. from 5pm
Where: Basement, 830 W. Pender Street
Australia Day 2020
This event is so you can party at the same time as your mates back home. Once again, all are invited to wear green and gold, bring their flags and enjoy some good Aussie tucker and drink specials. The night will also include raffles. Plus, there will be live music in the evening followed by a DJ until late!
When: Jan. 25. from 4pm
Where: Basement, 830 W. Pender Street
West Coast Saints Aussie Day Bushfire Relief Fundraiser
This event is a chance to raise funds to support the Australian bushfire relief. Come together for a good cause, kick back and listen to Triple J’s Hottest 100, take part in door prizes, raffles, a silent auction and watch a comedy show!
When: Jan. 26 at noon
Where: Castaways Bar & Kitchen - 4th and Blenheim, Kitsilano
Cost: Donation entry to support Australian charities and services
How you can help: The club is still collecting donations for the fundraiser. If you have anything you’d like to contribute you can contact Morgan King: [email protected]. Find more Info about the Club HERE.
Mad Max-athon For Aussie Fire Relief
It will be a day filled with entertainment, raffles, and true-blue Aussie movies dedicated to raising much-needed funds for Aussie bushfire relief. Three Mad Max films will be screened during the event. More details will be revealed soon!
When: Sat. Jan. 25. Time: TBA
Where: The Rio Theatre, 1660 East Broadway
Cost: Tickets to be released by Rio Theatre soon.
