This year for the summer break, I went to my grandparent’s home in Mallacoota where, since I was a child, we have spent our holidays. For years it was always a sanctuary for connecting with family, creativity, and nature.
It’s safe to say that what followed on New Year’s Eve was one of the most chilling experiences of my life, and we were some of the few lucky enough to escape just before the fire actually hit. Families we knew in the town offered us water and camping gear as we fled; we found out later that they lost everything. The trauma those trapped on the beach must have experienced is unimaginable.
As we escaped through smokey roads, I realised with horror that the fields were full of trapped livestock.
. The people, the earth, and the animals that are behind Francie are suffering immensely here in Australia.
At the moment, I can’t get back to help, so until then this is a start:
For all of January, 30% of our Francie sales will go to help the community in Mallacoota.
Hug your family. Plant trees. Leave water out for the native animals. Email your politicians. Donate. Whatever you can.
- Anna Woodruff
One of my favourite trees in Mallacoota, photographed the day before the New Year’s Eve fires.
