Coles Inverell hosts barbecue for fire fighters and general public

Hosted by Coles Inverell in their carpark, the lunch kicked off a series of barbecues to be held each Saturday for four weeks to raise funds for BEST Employment's Community Fire Appeal.

The guests ate for free, with customers paying a gold coin donation for their own hot lunches. Coles managers from all over the region came along to help cook the barbecue, and will brave pies to the face in a staff fundraiser at the Tatt's Hotel tonight. The store is also allowing customers to donate to the appeal through the checkout. 

"The support from the store managers and the other store teams as well, has just been overwhelming. They’ve actually been raising money in their own stores to go towards this appeal," Coles Inverell manager Damien Hubner said. Several staff members were personally affected by the fires themselves, spurring the events.

"Fortunately it was only minimal damage to their property, but still that is a cost to them and certainly when it’s close to home like that, you do your best to try and support all you can," he said.

RFS Northern Rivers Zone Superintendent Michael Brett, who has been overseeing regional firefighting efforts for the past three weeks, said events like the barbecue were humbling. 

"It’s good to be thanked for what they do," he said.

"We’re part of the fabric of the community."

Superintendent Brett said it was disappointing to see the damage that's been done and the homes lost, but said firefighters will learn from the past three weeks as they look to the future. 

"There’s been some very big saves, some places could have gone that didn’t," he said.