Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt has launched an appeal for 70 year-old Mary Oosen who lost all her possessions in a house fire that destroyed her rental property at Goldsborough on Monday night – getting the ball rolling with a donation of $500.

“This has been a very stressful ordeal for Mrs Oosen who is well known to many long-time residents of the Gordonvale and Edmonton areas,” Mr Pitt said.

“Of course we’re all very grateful that Mrs Oosen wasn’t physically hurt in the fire – she has her dog to thank for that she says.

“She had no insurance and in the short term she’ll be living out of a suitcase – sharing her time between her children’s homes, and my office is working on her longer term housing needs.

Mr Pitt said anyone who knows Mrs Oosen knows that she prides herself on being independent and self-sufficient.

“She has gone from having a home with a lifetime of memories to nothing – including losing her transport independence because her car was destroyed also,” he said.

“Because Mrs Oosen’s future housing situation is still uncertain, donated items were not encouraged at this time.

“Mary doesn’t know what kind of space she’ll need to fill – she doesn’t know if a new place will come partly furnished, or with white goods.

“The best way people can help at the moment is to provide a donation of cash, or they may wish to follow the lead of Mt Sheridan Plaza Centre Manager Angela Liversage who has donated a $500 K-Mart voucher on radio this morning.”

How to donate:

  • In person at the Mulgrave Electorate Office (94-96 Norman Street, Gordonvale)
  • Direct bank transfer via the Gordonvale Lions (BSB 084 679 ACCOUNT NO: 50874 4721).

Tax receipts can be issued for cash donations (in-person or via bank transfer so it’s important to provide contact details.