If you’ve been doubting the Aussie Spirit of late read on, I’m about to put your mind at ease. We’ve got some wonderfully resilient and caring people in our community, and we are proud to share the story of one in our very own backyard.

Orange local Milissa Lennon decided she couldn't watch TV and see one more animal of any kind endure suffering from these terrifying bush fires. Feeling helpless, this led her to Animal Rescue Collective (ARC). The ARC has been working in NSW, Queensland, ACT and Victoria to help wildlife rescue organisations with delivery of essentials required for injured wildlife.

With the thought of donating her own van for transportation, she and two friends, Linda Bennett & Averil Keen, then took to the streets to ask businesses if they would like to help. This resulted in a number of drop off points around town making it easy for their customers to get involved.

After creating the ‘Orange Wildlife Convoy’ Facebook page, the drop off points were showered with donations and Milissa herself had been inundated with donations, at times making it difficult to get to the front door of her home.

We caught up with Milissa as she was picking up a trailer load of donations from Mulberry Lane Vet Hospital, a business who were only too happy to be one of the many drop off points.

Sarah Passey of Mulberry Lane Vet Hospital said, “We jumped on the opportunity, we had been brainstorming about how we could help as, like everyone else, we were feeling helpless. We put the ARC list on Facebook and Orange just responded, we were flooded with donations the next day and they have been constant. I think people were happy they finally had somewhere to donate to, we even had two young girls donate their own teddies, it’s just been overwhelming.”

Milissa explained, “Our storage shed was overflowing within days, we needed a bigger shed! The response of Orange has been really amazing, crazy, but a good crazy, they’ve made such a massive impact. I know all of the carers/rescuers will be so grateful for every single donation regardless of how big or small it was.”

“When I put donations into the hands of carers and they cry, it’s because it means so much to the injured animals. It’s very humbling to see, knowing how very grateful they are. Milissa continued, “I did my first donation drop to Queenie Green last week and within two minutes of meeting her we were sharing tears, hugs and laughter. How it has brought people together is amazing. I've met some of the most incredibly caring people from all across Australia.”

Milissa has even had enquiries and supplies sent from Tasmania and Western Australia - Aussies are incredible right!?

With the overwhelming response Australia wide, it has opened the possibility for Milissa to be able to get supplies to our carers out west who are suffering through drought. “This drought is having a devasting impact on everyone and everything. For the carers not affected by the fires, it can be difficult to access funding, as the priority is given to animals on the firegrounds first. I believe that many of the small not-for-profit sanctuaries look after their own funding by way of donations or paying for items themselves.

“For years; the animals have been dying due to the drought and these small sanctuaries are often having to dip into their own pockets to make ends meet. So, I’ve asked if we can get some of the donations out to them too.

“I was in touch with one carer out west, and I was sitting on my lounge crying, because she was saying, she ‘feels forgotten out here’. A sentiment of many people living in rural communities throughout Australia. Her message was, ‘I’m giving up, I’m not going to ask for help’. I’ve only been involved for two weeks, but if I can help her, then I bloody-well will.

“It shouldn’t be happening, there are so many people out west that are suffering the effects of this drought, that are feeling forgotten, I want them to know they are not forgotten, that we are also going to look after our own backyard. With everyone’s help, we’d like to show them we care not just for the animals injured in the fires, but for the wildlife carers that have been saving animals throughout this drought.”

The donations in this photo were taken to Bells Line and immediately into the hands of carers receiving animals from the fire grounds.

If you'd like your donation to go to the animals injured by fire, to go: ARC - www.mkc.org.au/donations/trcqld

To donate to help a small non-profit sanctuary go to: www.warrumbunglewildlife.com/ www.warrumbunglewildlife.com/

Or you can donate the following items: Macro-pod pellets, hay, oaten and meadow chaff can be purchased from and left at Mullion Produce for Milissa to collect.  Wombaroo Formula - Flying Fox, Wombaroo Formula .7 for Joey's, Wombaroo formula .6 for wombats, Biolac formula, Di-Vetelact Formula, Impact (Wombaroo) and Insectivore (Wombaroo) can be purchased from your vet, just let them know Milissa will be picking it up. Crepe Bandages, Soffban Dressing, Jelonet Dressings, Melolin Dressing and Alcohol Swabs are available at McCathy’s Pharmacy and Terry White Chemmart, alternatively you can give Milissa a call on 0447 114 754.

Each and every business either made donations, collected donations, lent equipment or space, Thankyou.

• Kennards Hire Orange

• West Orange Self Storage

• Ed Roweth & Benchmark

• Orange Classic & Cafe Racer

• Chief Drilling Orange

• McCarthy's Pharmacy

• Canobolas Family Pet Hospital

• Summer Street Vet Clinic

• Mulberry Lane Vet Hospital

• Orange Vet Hospital

• Peter Smith Terry White Chemmart

• Spotlight Orange

• Mullion Produce Pets & Saddlery

• Cincotta Discount Chemist Orange

• West Orange Self Storage

• Chemist Warehouse Orange

• Woolworths Central & North Orange

• BIG W

• Got It – Discount Store

• Blooms The Chemist Orange

• Bunnings Warehouse North Orange

• Horseland Orange

• ALDI Australia

• Coles

• Budget Blinds & Awnings