Barbecue help for fire victim

By Shaun Inguanzo
GREATER Dandenong’s Mauritian community has pitched in to help one of its members after she lost everything in a house fire earlier this month.
Springvale resident Lise Toussaint was lucky to escape a house fire on Sunday, 5 February in Treesbank Avenue, Springvale, believed to be caused by an electric bar heater.
Ms Toussaint was awoken at 8.55am by the sound of her smoke alarm but her bedroom, kitchen and bathroom were left devastated by the fire.
While Ms Toussaint said her home was insured, the goods that were destroyed were not covered, leaving the elderly resident feeling ‘empty’ and in shock.
“It was mostly personal souvenirs (destroyed). Right now I can’t think clearly.”
But Greater Dandenong Lyndale Ward councillor Sue Walton, who met with the Mauritian Golden Age Club just after the tragedy, learnt of Ms Toussaint’s plight and organised a barbecue this week, in conjunction with the club, to raise funds for Ms Toussaint.
Both Cr Walton and Dandenong Ward councillor Jim Memeti donated food for the barbecue and while the final figure raised for Ms Toussaint is still being counted the elderly resident said she was overwhelmed by the support of her friends and the councillors.
“I am feeling a bit better,” she said after the barbecue.
“When you have the support of your friends it helps a bit.”
Cr Walton said the barbecue was intended to let Ms Toussaint know people were there to help her.
“The barbecue was to show support and respect for what she went through and support for the community who brought it to my attention.”