President of the Freedom Day Club An Nguyen with RSL aged care community and volunteer co-ordinator John Filmer. 27015
By Lia Bichel
THE devastation caused by the weekend’s tragic bush fires has prompted a Vietnamese organisation in Dandenong to contribute to the state’s relief efforts.
Freedom Day Club, an organisation made up of more than 100 ex-Vietnamese service men and their families, has donated $1000 to the Dandenong RSL to go towards helping Victorian victims.
The club was established in May last year by the Dandenong RSL, funded by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and supported by the Springvale Indo-Chinese Mutual Assistance Association.
“About 35 or 40 members came in to the RSL for their meeting on Monday, and handed me the money,” Dandenong RSL aged care community and volunteer co-ordinator John Filmer said.
“It surprised me. Most of them are pensioners and they are donating money from their own pockets. They have all committed to helping the bushfire victims. They are such a generous people.”
Freedom Day Club president An Nguyen said the Vietnamese community was heart-broken to hear about the damage caused by the state-wide infernos and felt obligated to contribute to the victims.
“When I heard about the bushfires, I just told myself that we, as a group, must do something,” Ms Nguyen said.
“When we had our meeting on Monday, we all spoke about it, and immediately decided to donate money. We were terribly sorry for what has happened. It’s horrible.”
Mr Filmer said the money would be donated to the Red Cross or a similar suitable outlet that is dedicated to helping the people affected by the bush fires.
