Dandy habitat

By Melissa Meehan
VOLUNTEERS joined forces at a Dandenong South factory on the weekend as part of a bushfire relief project.
Five large shipping containers were fitted out with racks and fittings to house a large variety of building related and garden tools.
Habitat for Humanity volunteer Gillian Farrell said the containers would be delivered to central locations in Marysville, Flowerdale, Kinglake West, Strathewan and Churchill, where people affected by the February bushfires would be able to rent the contents as needed.
“The local Lions clubs in the respective areas will manage the rental and return of the goods,” she said.
The project is the result of a collaboration between a Dandenong businessman and Habitat for Humanity Australia, an organisation that provides affordable housing for those who can’t afford a home of their own.
Victorian general manager of Premium Floors Pty Ltd, Stuart Budge said the devastation of the bushfires had shocked him.
“I had to do something,” he said.
“They told me they desperately needed tools to knock down buildings, clear land, repair fences and so on.”
From this the ‘tool initiative’ was evolved.
The towns are set to receive their containers in the coming weeks.