All of us at Redoak extend our sympathy and support to those affected by the devastating Victorian bushfires.

Our family, like everyone, have been horrified by the recent fires. These tragic events have been particularly close to our hearts and thoughts as David and Janet's (Hollyoak) older brother and his family live in Kinglake. While they are lucky to be alive and managed to save their house, many of their friends and neighbours weren't as lucky. Several of their cousins have lost their houses, machinery sheds and livelihoods in the area of Kinglake, Flowerdale and Strathewan. They have all lost friends, neighbours, families, schools and livelihoods. Fresh fruits used in our beers are sourced directly from our family's farms in the Yarra Valley that have been destroyed by the fires.

One of their cousins has lost his house in Flowerdale but has spent the past week helping others and fighting fires with the CFA. 

Another cousin (a baker) is doing his bit to help those affected by the fires and has given a very personal perspective to this tragedy.

" Hi All

Whittlesea Fires

We are working hard to supply our township of Whittlesea with all the bread that they need. Long shifts and no days off but we wouldn't have it any other way. It is our way of helping, doing what we do best, baking bread for everyone.

My wonderful people who work for me are my heroes. They are all safe but so far EVERY one of us knows some one or a family who has not survived the fire. My shop staff whom are dealing with their own losses are also having to listen to 100's of our customers tragic stories as well. There are many tears being shed on our counters at the moment by our injured community. We had a forensic policeman in tears the other day because we gave her a cheese and bacon roll for free for his lunch, we are doing this for everyone who is helping out our town. Since our first customer on Sunday morning, a guy who had lost half his house, I can only watch in awe as Carly ( managers all my shop staff ) provides compassion  and comfort to our customers as needed. She has been there every day since putting herself at Whittlesea on Sunday morning cause she wanted to be there for our customers. She watches the news each night just to see the faces of the survivors to recognize and know that another of our customers is ok. To my Aaron ( manages my baking staff ) and bakers who are working on 3 hours sleep, you are as important as the firemen. Without food the effort to fight the fires would stall pretty quick. You are suppling a vital need to our town.

We are doing what anyone would do in this situation. It is just every one in the community doing what they are best at, to the best of their ability to help each other out. Thank you to everyone for their concern and offers of support we are so grateful for all your help. Each day we come together we find out of more people we will not see again, we are numb. We talk and support each other but every day is hard and there still a lot of people missing.

Just a personal touch to the tragedy. Thanks for your support.

regards

Chris”

And, this is just one family!  There are many many more families who's lives have been shattered and turned upside down in recent days. We cannot begin to understand what they must be going through and how they will cope in the coming weeks, months and years.

One thing we can do is to help in whatever way we can. Redoak is in the process of organising fund raising activities to help rebuild these communities and people's lives in Victoria. In the meantime, we are collecting contributions in the buckets on the bar for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal.  We raised $200 just in one day from loose change, tips, etc. Together we can help and make a difference!