Creatures cremated- Gembrook Wildlife Shelter volunteer Leanne Terrington with possum, Adam, a

By Tania Martin
A GEMBROOK wildlife warrior has vowed to rebuild her life after fire ripped through her home and animal sanctuary last month, killing more than 20 creatures.
Helen McCoy said the support from the local community had been amazing.
She still can’t believe how generous people could be.
Ms McCoy is now staying with her sister in Emerald while she pieces her life back together.
She was just five minutes down the road, picking up her mail when fire tore through her home on 10 June, shortly after 6.30pm.
“I spoke to someone and they said there was a fire and then I got the call,” she said.
“I got the news just two minutes before I arrived home.”
Ms McCoy said she couldn’t believe it.
“I was hoping they had got it wrong, but when I arrived there were so many people, the fire brigade, police and neighbours … it was just overwhelming,” she said. Her home was gutted and the adjoining animal sanctuary didn’t fair much better.
Ms McCoy lost aviaries, animal bedding, equipment, and medical supplies.
“Everything was gone,” she said.
Ms McCoy said there were more than 150 animals on site when the fire started and 20 didn’t make it out alive.
Two possums were also injured in the blaze, but one has since died.
The fire is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault.
Ms McCoy has been helping injured and orphaned wildlife for more than 30 years and plans to keep doing it despite the fire.
She said rebuilding would take a while, but the shelter would continue.
Shelter volunteer Leanne Terrington said the local community had been amazing helping out Ms McCoy in her hour of need.
She said Ms McCoy had shown great strength despite the loss.
Ms McCoy said she couldn’t believe how generous people were.
“Everyone has been incredibly marvellous … It just been mind blowing how wonderful people have been,” she said.
“I want to thank all those people and organisations who have offered their support and donations … in these early days we still don’t know what is needed,” she said.
Wildlife Victoria has also started up an appeal to help out the family, which has raised more than $11,000 so far towards its $15,000 goal.
Those wanting to help out can make a donation by logging onto www.wildlifevictoria.org.au or by calling Leanne on 0414 516 279.