PEOPLE still seeking ways to help those made homeless or shedless by the bushfires can look to the garden shed for inspiration.
Sorrento caterer Barry Iddles, pictured with staff members at his mobile kitchen, said Kinglake West had asked for help to gather tools, power cords and power tools - "anything for a bloke's shed".
Mr Iddles has joined forces with other caterers to feed bushfire survivors, volunteers, firefighters, police, ambulance officers and army members working in the bushfire zone. "At the moment we are heading up twice a week, cooking for about 400 at a time," he said.
Donations of tools can be made at Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club, Point Nepean Road, Sorrento, and at Bamboo Restaurant, Point Nepean Road, Rye. Details: Barry Iddles, 0412 580 968.
Events to raise money for people affected by the Victorian bushfires will be held in the Mornington Peninsula and Frankston regions over coming days.
The Nepean Bushfire Benefit Concert is 11.30am-8pm on Monday, March 9 (Labour Day long weekend) at David MacFarlan Reserve, Sorrento. Performers include Russell Morris, Wendy Stapleton and Paul Norton, Wilbur Wilde, Lisa Bade and Tony Byrne, Scott Carne, President Roots, Jimi Hocking and the Missiles, Mark Kennedy, Bob Valentine, Johnny Chester and the Dalton Gang, Cohen Country, Wallis and Matilda, Jay McLean and The Roustabouts, and The Distance. Also children's entertainment, food and drink stalls, sausage sizzle by Sorrento Rotary. Entry: $25 family, $10 adult, $8 under-18s and children under 12 no charge. Tickets from Sorrento Hotel, Koonya general store, Coles supermarkets in Rosebud, McCrae and Sorrento, Blairgowrie and Rye newsagencies, Sorrento Cinema and Portsea general store. Police, CFA, ambulance and Southern Peninsula Rescue Service helicopter displays. Proceeds to Red Cross. Details: Alex Crawford, 0429 956 376.
Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm, 244 Shands Road, Main Ridge, is donating proceeds from strawberry sales and running weekend charity sausage sizzles 11am-2pm to raise funds. Details: 5989 4500.
Rye Hotel is holding a morning tea on Thursday with Devonshire tea in the bistro, 10.30-11.30am, entry $5, and a family night on Saturday with guest speakers, raffles, Jingles the Clown, and music from the Martians. Tenper cent of the cost of each main meal will be go to the bushfire appeal. Details: 5985 2277.
On Friday night, Frankston Council will hold a concert in Wells Street Plaza from 5pm. Headlining is East Timorese band Kore-An, comprising seven brothers who sing of their life in East Timor during the country's struggle for independence. Other performers include Sol Nation, drummer Roger Terill and Gypsy Crims, while Canadian artist Audrya Corbett will build a mandala, a circular artwork representing unity and connection. Volunteers will collect money for bushfire relief.
On Friday, the Pines Community has organised a concert at 7pm at Aldercourt Primary School, Silver Avenue, Frankston North. The long list of advertised acts include Ministry of Swing, Ash King, Joe Galea, Tafaoga-Niu and the Melbourne Opera Company singers. Tickets are $10 or $20 for a family.
Crib Point RSL will host a 'country music hoedown' featuring the John Lawrence Band from 1pm on Sunday in Milne Street. There will be a spinning wheel, casting competition and monster raffle as well as children's activities.
Holden's unique custom car, Efijy, will make a rare appearance at the Let's Go Cruisin' Bushfire Appeal at the Peninsula Lifestyle Centre, Bungower Road, Mornington, from 5-7.30pm on Tuesday.
There will be a classic car show, music by Two Phase and more than $3000 worth of prizes. Entry is by gold coin donation. Meals available from the Sober Mule Cafe.
Cash donations
The Red Cross Bushfire Appeal. Call 1800 811 700, visit www.redcross.org.au or go to any National Australia Bank, ANZ, Westpac or Commonwealth Bank branch.
Readers can donate directly to the Victorian Bushfire Relief Fund at banks (BSB 082-001, account number 860-046-797) or leave money at any of more than 4000 Australia Post offices across the country.
The 850 residents of Village Glen retirement village in Rosebud will surprise Salvation Army chiefs when they donate a $126,348 cheque for the bushfire appeal this week.
The money was raised from residents as well as management and staff.
Elaine Travis, president of the Village Glen Residents Committee, said it was a magnificent effort considering "80 per cent of our residents are on a pension or a fixed income".
Condolence book
PENINSULA residents can offer their condolences and show support for emergency services workers by
signing the State Government's
official message book, which is at the office of Mornington electorate MP David Morris, Suite 2, 364 Main Street, Mornington, 8.30am-5.30pm Monday to Friday. Details: 5975 4799.
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