Last Friday night one of the farm houses that the African families at Mingoola are staying in burnt down.  All the occupants were safe, but now need to re-establish.  Rotarian Gino Cabria, who,with Fran Hodgson, has been organising goods and house maintenance and improvements was quick to act.  On Saturday he collected blankets, clothes and shoes from Stanthorpe Saint Vincent de Paul, Lifeline and Salvation Army stores.  Jenny Kay from Gleesons Mercery and Maria Cameron from Lifestyle Footwear made donations of new clothes and shoes and some cash. God bless our generous business houses.
On Sunday Gino and Elaine travelled to Mingoola and met with the family.  They are staying in the shearing shed of one of the farmers who is employing the Africans (Julia and Phillip Happham) and more suitable accommodation is being organised by them very soon.  In his truly hospitable style Gino also took down sausages for a sizzle with the parents and  5 children.  After lunch Gino took the kids down to the creek on a crayfish catching expedition.
The whole Club congratulates Gino and Elaine for the kindness and quick actions.
The African families have moved from Sydney to Mingoola and the local school has opened up again with about a dozen children.  Two more families are due to arrive soon.  The men love the rural work and the families love the rural lifestyle as they can keep goats for eating.