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AGL will contribute $200,000 to the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund (GERF) to provide immediate financial assistance to those impacted by the Gippsland bushfires.

AGL Loy Yang acting General Manager, John Kienhuis, said it is important for the company to support the community it operates in.

“We have around 600 employees and hundreds more contractors here at Loy Yang, and I think most people know someone who has been impacted by these fires or someone who is assisting in the emergency effort,” Mr Kienhuis said.

“Most of our employees call Gippsland home and I think it’s fair to say the devastation we’ve seen has saddened us all. It’s at times like these the Gippsland community pulls together and we want to play our part in helping those who need support.

“We know there are many others doing their bit, we aren’t the only one providing assistance, it’s a team effort and we thank all our employees who are contributing in some way.”

Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund President, John Mitchell, thanked AGL for its contribution.

“GERF is a unique regionally based charitable organisation that relies on support from businesses, community groups and individuals to provide immediate help for Gippslanders during times of natural disasters,” Mr Mitchell said.

“It’s estimated the Gippsland fires have impacted around 1,600 properties and to support all of those in need we are aiming to raise $5 million. AGL’s donation, which is one of the largest single company donations we have ever received, will help us as we aim for this target.”

As well as the business donation, Mr Kienhuis said many AGL Loy Yang employees were doing their own fundraising activities.
“In the mine, we have a group that is organising funds for hay, fodder and other supplies and AGL has agreed to match what they raise, dollar for dollar.“

AGL also recently announced that volunteer firefighters would receive $150 credit on their AGL electricity or gas bills.
“The impact of the bushfires have been wide reaching for our people, family, friends and customers living in affected areas. We’re also continuing to support customers affected by pausing their billing and communicating assistance options,” Mr Kienhuis said.

Charlotte Pordage is Editor of Utility magazine, a position she has held since November 2018. She joined the team as an Associate Editor in October 2017, after sharpening her writing and editing skills across a range of print and digital publications. Charlotte graduated from Royal Holloway, University of London, in 2011 with joint honours in English and Latin. When she's not putting together Australia's only dedicated utility magazine, she can usually be found riding her horse or curled up with a good book.

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