Thanks to the work of the emergency services and many volunteers we are grateful that the South Coast is once again safe and we are looking forward to welcoming you to the region for the Four Winds Festival.
It is now four days since the catastrophic bushfires destroyed about 70 homes and many businesses in Tathra. However, we are all grateful that despite the devastation of some parts of Tathra there was, miraculously, no loss of life. Most residents have now been allowed to return to their homes. These are our neighbours and our friends and our hearts go out to this wonderful community.
For those of you who have already bought tickets to the Four Winds Easter Festival, and those who may still be thinking of coming, the Four Winds team wants to take this opportunity let you know that it is safe for you to come. The fires are under control. Remaining patches of fire are now well behind containment lines and are being mopped up by our heroic firefighters.
Given our location, ever since the creation of Nature’s Concert Hall, Four Winds has had an excellent fire safely plan in place and a Festival wet weather plan, so we have all bases covered. The fire safety procedures will be explained to everyone at the site throughout the Festival.
For those of you who have accommodation booked in Tathra, the Bega Valley Shire Council Mayor, Kristy McBain, was on local radio yesterday announcing that, despite the trauma, Tathra will be open for business by Easter. Coffee shops and cafes are now opening and much of the holiday accommodation is not damaged. The town really wants and needs you to stick to your plans and to come. Her message was, ‘please don’t cancel’ the town needs your business to regrow.
Four Winds Contribution to those affected by the Tathra Bush Fire
There has been an overwhelming level of support for the victims of these fires from all over the Shire, including from Bermagui. Four Winds also has plans to help. We know that our visiting audience members will also wish to contribute, so here’s our plan:
The free community Good Friday concert on the Bermagui oval (7.00 – 9.00pm) will be a fund-raising event for the victims of the fires. We hope to attract a large crowd and volunteers will be there to collect donations;
At the Festival site, we will be actively encouraging donations throughout the Festival to the Mayoral Appeal Fund for the Tathra Fire. You will be able to make your donation at our Donations Tent. 100% of the funds donated to the Mayoral Appeal Fund will be passed on to those affected by the bush fire.
Should they wish, anyone who has lost their home in the fires can seek a moment of peace and calm at the Four Winds Festival Sound Shell on Easter Saturday and Sunday, with our compliments. All they need to do is make themselves known at the Box Office at the entrance to the Four Winds site and we will be happy to welcome them.
If you would like to donate to the Mayoral Appeal Fund you can do so online by following this link. https://www.begavalley.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/default/page.asp?p=DOC-GBD-41-35-16
