Lake Conjola/Conjola Park Bushfire Appeal

If you've ever travelled there, Lake Conjola will hold a special place in your heart.

For so many families, Conjola has become their happy place. An oasis they escape to, to relax, and unwind and recharge. A quiet place where the only thing you have to worry about is what board game to play next and what time it's acceptable to crack your first beer.

Thousands of kids will forever remember their endless summers roaming free, riding bikes amongst the friendly wildlife and swimming in the lake. Where everything is safe, and sacred and carefree.

But last week this oasis experienced a horror greater than they ever should have. On NYE instead of celebrating, locals and visitors fled to shelter on the beach and in the lake while the surrounding bushland went up in flames. Completely trapped and unable to escape they watched while their homes and their community burned.

89 homes were lost in the Conjola Park area. Tragically 2 people lost their lives. Countless wildlife wiped out. Thankfully the Caravan Parks were saved.

But in true Conjola style, the community rallied together immediately. People left their cabins open for anyone to use, locals cooked up BBQ's with what supplies they had, people who were affected themselves handed over clothes, bedding, toiletries. And now they start to rebuild.

After speaking with our old friend and manager of the Lake Conjola Holiday Haven Caravan Park, Brad McDougall, we have come to understand their community was completely unequipped to defend themselves and their homes.  We asked what we could do to help, what they needed.

Their community have already started receiving generous donations in the form of clothing, bedding and toiletry hampers as well as financial relief from St Vincent De Paul, the Australian Red Cross and other national organisations but they need to ensure that if/when this happens again, they have the tools to defend themselves.

"We want to start a community container full of generators, extension cords, fuel containers, hoses, sprinklers and things that will help prepare us for the future," says Brad.

Any funds raised via this platform will go towards the purchase of a container, and the items to fill it for the community. Once the fundraiser is complete, Brad McDougall and his wife Hayley will be the caretakers of the money to purchase what's needed and as popular long term Lake Conjola residents and active members of the local community we absolutely know they are the best people for the job.

To give an indication of what this could cost we have researched price estimates which range in quality:

 - 40ft Shipping Container: $3,500 (plus freight from Sydney)
 - Generators: $2,000 - $4,000ea
 - Industrial sprinklers: $100 - $150ea
 - 20L fuel containers: $30-$50ea
 - 3 inch transfer water pumps (pump water from lake or dam): $500 - $1300ea
 - 30m lay-flat hose to suit above: $120ea
 - 30m x 3/4 inch hoses: $120-$150ea
 - Heavy duty extension cords: $50ea

If there happens to be any funds left over, it will be put towards Conjola-specific efforts to rebuild their community.

If ever you've travelled to Lake Conjola and it too, holds a special place in your heart, please donate what you can to help get this community back on their feet. Furthermore, if you're in the position to donate any specific items listed above, please get in touch with us directly on 0419 483 745.

Thanks in advance for your help, let's do everything we can to help this special place rebuild.

Sarah & Kurt Davies and Carly & Darren Keane.

Photo Credit: Flames engulf a home in Lake Conjola - by  Matthew Abbott