Celia Balfour is an inspiring woman. I had the privilege of meeting her as she arrived on the lawns of Parliament House, leading 35 or so of her late husband’s firey mates after their massive 4 day run from Melbourne.
David Balfour was killed at work by a falling tree while fighting the Victorian bushfires. For Celia and her family this tragic event not only changes their lives forever, but brings about a sharp new reality for Celia bringing up the children on her own.
This reality was well understood by workmates, the firey’s union (UFU) who immediately set about fund-raising to help provide financial support. One of many efforts included the journey of healing, culminating in a fundraising ball at the Hellenic Club in Canberra last Saturday Night.
In fact, there is a strong history among the ACT Fire Brigade, the Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade and the Victorian Country Fire Authority for raising funds for those in need. For example, the MFB has conducted a Great Anzac Run from Melbourne to Canberra in previous years for charities.
Another example of thoughtful initiative was the urgent lobbying of ACT UFU union officials Jason Jones and Matt Mavity, who were into Parliament House quick smart to lobby for a retrospective increase to the Comcare lump sum death benefit, which was promised in last year’s budget.
The Bill to give effect to this promise was introduced to the House of Representatives on the 3rd December 2008. It provides for the lump sum to be increased from $224,494 to $400,000. It also increases weekly dependent benefits for each child from around $73 to $110 per week. Finally, the Bill provides for the benefit to be increased based on the Wage Price index each year.
Julia Gillard, the responsible Minister has announced that through the Parliament, the Rudd Government will seek to backdate the measure until 13th May 2008 to ensure that families of deceased workers received the increased benefit.
I was very proud to be able to welcome Celia, her family and friends back to Canberra after their journey of healing with this good news on Saturday. It will have a very real financial benefit for the family. Combined with the fundraising for the Balfour Family Trust Fund, it will help secure the family’s financial future.
The Prime Minister also asked me to make a special presentation on his behalf to the Balfour family: conveying his condolences and that of US firefighters through the presentation of a purple ribbon lapel pin. The Purple Ribbon was presented to the PM during his recent visit to the US. The purple ribbon is presented to families who have lost loved ones in the line of duty. As part of the presentation, I read out the Prime Minister’s letter to the Balfour Family. (BTW, I was thrilled to hear the PM paid a personal visit to the Hellenic Club on Saturday night – what a lovely gesture on his part.)
Catching up with a few of the firey’s afterwards over a bbq, I was reminded what a close knit and supportive community the firey’s have. As one of the organisers of the run noted, yes, they were all mates of David Balfour, but they were all now Celia’s mates too.
