FRANK and Jennifer Wilmink have only been residents of the Kempsey Shire for 18 months, but the community minded locals are keen to help out their new neighbours by lending a generator to anyone who has lost power in the fires.
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"The generator is just sitting in my shed waiting to be used," Frank told the Argus.
"We have been through various disasters all around Australia, and we've seen the basic needs that people often need in situations like this, I wanted to do something practical to help out anyone who needs it, a lot of people are in dire straights."
The spare portable electric start generator has already seen a fair bit of use in previous disasters, the floods that hit Brisbane in 2011, and most recently it was being borrowed by the Temagog Fire Station.
"I made contact with the Temagog Fire Station through a friend, they had the generator until they got power back, and now it's ready for someone else," Frank said.
"Anybody in Willawarrin or the surrounding area who has been impacted by the fires and is without power, get in touch.
"I can load it onto a 6x4 trailer and deliver it anywhere, it's full of petrol, and has a 20 litre jerry can."
The fires are out there, but we haven't seen any here yet, on that bad Friday it was raining burning leaves though.
- Frank Wilmink
Ever since hearing about the devastation sweeping the area, Frank has been searching for someone else to lend the generator to, but despite his best efforts, he is struggling to find anyone.
"It all started when I heard a fellow from Willawarrin ring up the ABC Macca program asking for help, during the call the man mentioned that there were several properties in that area that had no power due to the fires burning out power poles," he said.
"I immediately got on the phone and left my number so that the ABC could pass that on to him, I've left my phone details with the coordinator at the Kempsey Showground, haven't heard from anyone yet."
So far, Jennifer and Frank have managed to avoid damage to their own property, but they are ready to leave if need be.
"The fires are out there, but we haven't seen any here yet, on that bad Friday it was raining burning leaves though," Frank said.
"Our neighbours can see the glow of the fires at night; we are fully prepared to go, the bags are packed," Jennifer said.
Anybody who needs a generator, or knows someone who might, is encouraged to email Frank and Jennifer at Frajen01@bigpond.com.
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