#BackToBilpin - A Positive Local Community Initiative For Bushfire Relief

It’s been heartwarming to see how the local communities have rallied together already in these early weeks of the bushfire relief.

SOURCE: FACEBOOK.COM/BACKTOBILPIN

On Saturday 11th January this new initiative was launched via the newly created Back To Bilpin Facebook Page to help…

‘SPREAD THE WORD - BILPIN IS OPEN!

Bilpin, the Land of the Mountain Apple, suffered from raging bushfires up and down the Bells Line of Road over the peak Christmas period.

Bilpin is a boutique tourism hot spot well known for its B&Bs, apple orchards, fruit picking, organic produce, ciders and open gardens. Just 90 minutes from Sydney, it is a great day trip or weekend away.

Like many regions throughout Australia, the unforgiving Christmas fires hit right in the peak of the tourism season.

Local small businesses now need our help.

Hawkesbury City Councillor Sarah Richards along with Lionel Buckett from Wollemi Wilderness Cabins, Michael Sperling from Bilpin Country Lodge, Bilpin and head of Blue Mountains Accommodation and Tourism Association, and residents Michael and Jane Hughes came together to workshop ideas to let tourists know it was safe to return.

#BACKTOBILPIN was born!

We are asking you to LIKE AND SHARE this page so we can get the word out to locals, Sydneysiders and tourists to come for a drive to Bilpin and visit our small businesses.

#BACKTOBILPIN NEEDS YOUR HELP.

Over the coming days and weeks, we will regularly feature local businesses and provide links to their pages.

Together, we hope this small grassroots campaign can revitalise the Bilpin economy.

Visit www.visitbilpin.com, www.visitbluemountains.com.au and www.discoverthehawkesbury.com.au to plan your day.’

It was great to see such a huge show of support just 24 hours after the #BackToBilpin Facebook page initiative was launched.

For example, the very next day, Robyn Preston MP, Member for Hawkesbury shared this post about how people were lining up to buy apple pies and refreshments to support the local businesses in Bilpin.

Bilpin is a beautiful part of The Hawkesbury and their retail trade (especially on the weekends) is such an important part of the fabric of the community.

Now that BILPIN IS OPEN, this community will require and appreciate any support to help them get through the coming year or more of re-building that’s required throughout Bilpin and its surrounding areas.

Also, some good news, the Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens in Mount Tomah has re-opened and they shared this update on their website

The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah is now beginning to re-open to visitors, following the recent bush fires.

We at the Garden are extremely grateful to our staff, local community and emergency services personnel who dedicated their time and expertise in dealing with the devastating bush fires. 

Fortunately, most of the Garden’s plant collection, buildings including The Potager restaurant, accommodation, and venue spaces were unaffected by the recent fire.

Some areas within the Garden remain closed for safety reasons. For further details please view this map and observe signage within the Garden.   

For updates relating to The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden please follow us on Twitter and Facebook. If you need to contact us, please use our temporary phone number 0492 442 245.

The Botanic Gardens also mentioned that, “The Blue Mountains community along Bells Line of Road has been significantly impacted by the fires. As you travel through the area, please consider visiting local businesses to support their recovery.”

When you head up to Bilpin takes some photos and share them on social media. Don't forget to use the hashtag #BACKTOBILPIN

Congratulations and a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone involved in launching this wonderful initiative for the Bilpin community.

Well done.

Regards

Greg Vincent