Blacktown City Mayor, Tony Bleasdale OAM, has extended a helping hand to the Tongan community in the wake of the devastating volcanic eruption and tsunami.
"On behalf of Blacktown City Council, my fellow Councillors and all the people of our City, we send our deepest sympathies to all the members of the Tongan community, both here and in their homeland." Mayor Bleasdale said.
"We have a large Tongan community with nearly 3,500 Tongans calling Blacktown City home and each and every one of them have relatives and loved ones who have been effected by this tragedy.
"Our Tongan community is always one of the first to step up when others are in need and the Tongan cultural, sporting and church groups are a vital part of Blacktown City's diverse and multicultural identity.
"Council stands ready to assist in any way we can and Council officers have been involved in discussions with our Tongan community leaders, community groups and charitable aid organisations to see how best we can all provide assistance." Mayor Bleasdale said.
Following those discussions, aid agencies have requested that people don't donate physical goods and instead donate financially to those agencies providing support on the ground in Tonga.
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
For an explanation why physical goods should not be donated, go to: Donate responsibly
