By Renae Smyth
Whilst red skies and blackened debris filled his television screen and singed wildlife flooded his social feed, the father-of-two was wrestling with the notion of "how do I help?"
Robert wasn’t prepared to sit back and watch the country’s worst bushfire season unfold without helping in some way. He had to do something.
Thinking about where he spends most weekends, Robert believed that the netball court was key in lifting the spirits of communities impacted by the bushfires.
Determined to bring back that sense of normality and connection that comes from sport, Rob started a donation drive. Asking the people of Junee to empty their sports bags to help those who have lost everything get back out on court.
“I’d hate to see kids not playing netball because they lost their gear through out the fires,” Robert said.
“Netball is so much more than a game. It keeps kids active, entertained and they get to see their friends.”
Running for more than six weeks, the appeal gained momentum through word of mouth where donators were asked to drop items off at the local coffee shop, the Railway Café.
“A lot of people who have donated, have given items that they have barely worn and have just outgrown," Robert said.
The generosity of the small town shines through the piles of shirts, skorts, balls and even a set of post pads that will be loaded into Robert’s ute and make the 400km trip to Sapphire Coast Netball Association on the states south coast.
“It’s incredibly heart-warming to see how everyone is happy to band together; nothing is a problem,” Robert said.
It’s a delivery that couldn’t come quick enough with more than 2,000 houses destroyed and over five million hectares of land burnt in the area.
The donations will be distributed through a partnership with Sapphire Coast Netball Association which includes the Eden, Bombala and Merimbula districts.
Rob is hoping to continue his contribution to the cause by taking teams to the netball bushfire relief charity match at Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday 1 March, where all funds raised will go to netball communities impacted by the bushfires.
