We identified the need for a toilet, shower and wash facilities.

Article by PP Bernie Farquhar from The Rotary Club of Mitchell River, Bairnsdale, Victoria

After the first wave of working bees conducted in East Gippsland by Rotarians for fire affected people, in March 2020, we identified the need for a toilet, shower and wash facilities for our volunteers on site.

Now with COVID, there will be a more urgent need for stricter hygiene practices in the field.

Having up to 20 people on one property generally put the existing facilities under strain and in some cases no facilities existed.

We investigated the purchase and hire of existing units, but none really fitted our need. I visited the local Jayco dealership and together we designed a unit.

Jayco provide the quote and it was accepted by the East Gippsland Rotary Fire Aid group, a request for funding was sent out to our metro clubs and within week sufficient fund were received and a deposit was paid. With COVID and material shortages it took 10 months to get it on the road.

The Trailer will be extensively used for the rehabilitation period of approx. 24 months, i.e. working bees, replanting-revegetation programs community BBQ’s relating to fire recovery. Then the vehicle will be parked at the Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House who have requested a similar unit to cater for the homeless in our area.

Currently there is no free shower facilities in Bairnsdale.

When the homeless require a shower or washing done for a job interview, they have nowhere to go. Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House CEO Leanne Jennings has currently several homeless people living at the rear of their facility on and off. Leanne informs me there are around 120 homeless people in Bairnsdale.

The Trailer will also be used to cater for events and other functions, it will be managed and maintained by the Rotary Club of Mitchel River Bairnsdale