Tonga Appeal

The Bundaberg Region community is banding together to support disaster relief efforts for Tonga after a volcanic eruption and tsunami devastated the country last month.

Organisations and businesses have been offering their support to the newly established Tonga Appeal, a fundraising initiative by Bundaberg Regional Council and Shalom College led by the local Tongan community.

NRL legend and local teacher Antonio Kaufusi approached Council with the idea of the appeal when he was trying to find a way to support his family members impacted by the emergency event.

The fundraising was kick-started by a $10,000 donation from Council, and through its weekly markets, Shalom College also donated $2000.

It has now reached more than $19,000 thanks to the help of locals.

Recently, The Catholic Parish of Bundaberg donated $2000 towards the cause after hosting a garage sale filled with furniture.

Father Peter Tonti said the pre-planned event had transformed into a fundraiser when the church community heard about how the emergency had impacted some of their own.

Bundaberg Regional Council and Shalom College collaborated to kick-start the Tonga Appeal a few weeks ago.

“The Kaufusi's are part of the lovely Tongan family who are parishioners at our church and we really wanted to help them in their cause for supporting the Tonga Appeal,” he said.

“We decided that the profits made from the furniture sale would go towards the charity.”

Six furniture items including tallboys and dressers were sold, allowing the church to contribute funds to the appeal.

Fr Peter said he was proud to be involved in supporting a great cause.

“That's what we are here for and that is part of our mission, to assist wherever and to whoever requires it,” he said.

Local businesses have also have joined in on the fundraising efforts including The Lighthouse Hotel, who have donated $1000 towards the appeal.

Manager Gavin Hales said through their weekly Burnett Heads raffles, organised by volunteers Ken Graham and Deb Mason, patrons had raised the funds.

“It's really the support from the locals that has made this possible,” he said.

“To be part of a community that is always so willing to give back to others is mind-blowing, it's amazing.

“The raffles are held every week with help from Ken and Deb and have evolved to raise enough money for not only the local area, but also a wider target which is fantastic.”

Community groups offer assistance to support Tonga

Rotarians across the Bundaberg Region have collected fishing rods and reels to help support Tongan communities after the devastating tsunami in January.

Community groups have jumped on board to assist Tonga, with many donating items or raising funds on their own accord.

Local Rotary clubs recently joined forces to gather more than 100 pieces of fishing equipment, including items such as spinning reels and tackle boxes, that will soon be sea freighted to the island.

Local Rotarian Phil Saxby said much of the tackle and some of the rod-reel combinations were brand new, and he thanked those who supported the cause.

Bundaberg Quilters Inc members are also busy raising funds for the victims of Tonga through the raffle of a quilt.

The raffle is being combined with the sale of handmade turtle toys to be available for sale at Woolworths Bargara tomorrow.

For more information head to the Bundaberg Quilters Inc Facebook page here.

Mayor thanks community for support

Bundaberg Region Mayor Jack Dempsey has thanked locals for their support of the Tonga Appeal.

He said with the current funding now reaching almost $20,000, money would begin to be filtered through to the country.

“While we are not yet at our fundraising goal, we will be sending the funding that we have so far to the Tongan community so they can work on getting their lives back to normality,” he said.

“The devastation was major and will have an impact on the community for some time, however, we are hoping to be able to assist them in rebuilding by donating the funds that we have, as soon as possible.

“Thank you to all of those residents, organisations and businesses who have helped thus far. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.”

How to donate to support Tonga Appeal:

Account name: Shalom College

BSB: 034 210

Account Number: 831 772

Reference: TONGA APPEAL

Or by visiting Shalom College or phoning the finance officer on 4155 8111.

Read the full Bundaberg Now story here.

A community collaboration to launch the Tonga Appeal for those impacted by last month’s volcanic eruption and tsunami has been kick started by a $10,000 donation from Bundaberg Regional Council.

Through its weekly markets, Shalom College has also donated $2000 to the appeal.

The local Tongan community, together with Council and Shalom College, is encouraging residents to join forces and raise the much-needed funds.

Mayor Jack Dempsey said it was a good start but much more assistance was needed.

“The country has been devastated by the volcanic eruption and subsequent tsunami, families have been separated and now they are dealing with an escalating COVID outbreak,” Mayor Dempsey said.

“Our South Pacific Island neighbours need our support.

“We already have strong ties with this region and our assistance now, at their greatest time of need, will only further strengthen this relationship.”

He said there was no doubt the local community had the spirit and the resources to fundraise but working together was key.

“I am so encouraged to see the level of community support already coming to the fore, we truly are the most caring community.

“But taking a coordinated approach will achieve the best outcome going forward.”

Local NRL legend and Shalom College teacher Antonio Kaufusi approached Council with the idea to hold a Tonga Appeal when he was trying to find a way to support his family members impacted by the volcano and tsunami.

His cousin Father Ekuasi Manu is principal of Api Fo’ou Catholic College in Tonga’s capital.

While the school building itself was spared from major damage, ash and water entered classrooms and tsunami waves crashed onto the school grounds.

Fr Ekuasi said the school’s 1300 students, the majority of which come from low-income families, were part of the clean-up effort.

“It took us two weeks to clean the ashes from rooftops and roads,” Fr Ekuasi said.

“We were able to coordinate these cleaning up campaigns with teachers, ex-students, and parents.”

He said the community was grateful to hear of the Bundaberg Region’s support.

Mayor Dempsey said he understood there was a need for food and physical items but financial support would provide immediate aid.

“We’ve liaised with DFAT and other NGOs looking at timing, transportation and logistics and the best way to get the Tongan community the assistance they need when they need it is to send funds as soon as we can,” Mayor Dempsey said.

“We’re still committed to offering longer term support but in the short term let’s come together and provide immediate relief for the school, the village and the wider community.

“The money we raise will go direct to Api Fo’ou Catholic College to be distributed to the community and it won’t be tied up and filtered through administration and logistical costs.”

Shalom College has elected to act as the collection point for funds which they can then distribute school to school.

Principal Dan McMahon said his school had links with the Tongan community and assisting with the fundraiser was a way they could reach out.

“We have students and their families with relatives still in Tonga and dealing with the aftermath,” Mr McMahon said.

“Schools over there – like here often in small communities – they’re the spokes of the community.

“We’re hoping, in supporting a school with the things they need, it will also support those families who are there and the community in which it is based.

“We are trying to get a way to give the aid that people will generously give to the people that will need it most.”

How to donate:

Account name: Shalom College

BSB: 034 210

Account Number: 831 772

Reference: TONGA APPEAL

Or by visiting Shalom College or phoning their Finance Officer on (07) 4155 8111.

Read the full Bundaberg Now story here.