Stock broking advisory Argonaut has launched a two-pronged campaign to assist victims of the Wooroloo bushfire, establishing the Brokerage for Bushfire Relief initiative.
Stock broking advisory Argonaut has launched a two-pronged campaign to assist victims of the Wooroloo bushfire, donating 250 tonnes of hay and establishing the Brokerage for Bushfire Relief initiative.
The out-of-control blaze, which began last Monday afternoon, ripped through more than 10,900 hectares of land in Wooroloo and the Perth Hills and destroyed 86 properties.
The fire was downgraded to a Bushfire Advice on Saturday evening, after six days and the work of more than 800 emergency services personnel.
Yesterday, a convoy of six road trains picked up 700 standard round bales from a farm near Williams, which will be stored at a Brunswick depot and delivered to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development drop locations as required.
Argonaut has also established a day-long initiative, Brokerage for Bushfire Relief, with all share trading brokerage and commissions generated by the Argonaut team donated to the Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund.
In addition, Argonaut will donate $100 for each new share trading account opened.
Argonaut executive chairman Eddie Rigg said the campaign to support those affected was a no-brainer for the broking house, saying the devastation caused by last week’s bushfire was impossible to ignore.
Mr Rigg said the Argonaut team had thrown its full support behind the Brokerage for Bushfire Relief initiative.
“Traditionally, we have donated one per cent of Argonaut’s revenue annually to a number of charitable causes,” he said.
“The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted some of our community giving and charity plans last year so, once the devastation of the Wooroloo bushfire became clear, we were very keen to get involved and assist in a really tangible way with helping the affected communities.
“I encourage clients, old and new, to join the Argonaut team on Friday to support a cause that has impacted so many Western Australians.”
Mr Rigg acknowledged the assistance of the Harvey Hay Run team, trucking contractors and volunteer organisation EASE WA for their role in getting the donation underway.
So far, The Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund has collected more than $7 million in donations.
City of Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas said the city’s customer service team had been receiving close to 600 calls a day, answering more than 100 emails and 200 live chat requests.
