February 26, 2015
Last Thursday Piers Shapley swapped his pizza paddle for a sandbag shovel.
Piers, the owner of Reel Pizzas, became a volunteer with the Nanango SES after he completed a Community Resilience Leadership Workshop last year.
Since then he has regularly attended the group’s Monday training nights.
Reel Pizzas can normally be found at Growing The Burnett’s Farmer’s Markets in Kingaroy every Thursday.
But with Cyclone Marcia bearing down on the region, last week Piers swapped his pizza paddle for a shovel and joined other Nanango SES volunteers preparing sandbags.
The sandbags were distributed to residents and businesses in the district to help reduce the likelihood of properties being inundated.
It is a free service, but can save hundreds to thousands of dollars if disaster strikes.
As things turned out, the South Burnett escaped the worst effects of a cyclone, which many had initially feared might bring a repeat of the 2011 and 2013 floods.
But now that potential disaster has been averted, Nanango SES needs to turn to fundraising.
And Piers has offered his business as a collection point.
From today, Reel Pizzas will have a donation tin on their servery table wherever they set up shop, and all money collected will go to the Nanango SES.
Apart from the Thursday Markets, Reel Pizza’s mobile wood-fired pizza oven can also be found at parties, functions, community events, school fetes and fundraisers all around the South Burnett.
“I think the Nanango SES do great work and I enjoy being a member,” Piers said.
“Donations to help them out are always appreciated.”
The group meets every Monday night at the SES Building in George Street, Nanango from 7:00pm to 9:00pm.
You can obtain more information about joining or assisting the Nanango SES by phoning Group Leader Robyn on (07) 4163-1933 or 0448-138-220.
Great work Piers with the shovel and the paddle. Thanks for being at the Thursday market.