Rotary Castlemaine was delighted to have Tania Butterworth speak at our Club meeting on 25 February to gain an insight into local leadership in action following the Harcourt bushfire on 9 January.Tania Butterworth is no stranger to stepping up and volunteering when needed.
When Charlton was flooded in January 2011, she organised care packages, set up a recovery centre and leveraged $60,000 of furniture to be donated by Metricon. Then their school fete generated thousands with Tania’s support, a far cry from the usual $700 profit. Likewise, when Christchurch NZ was devastated by earthquake only one month later, Tania was again handing out care packages and encouraging the community to step up and lead. Her key message is that anyone can step up and lead when they see something that needs doing.
In Castlemaine, Tania is well known for her work in 2017 to set up the MAAW [Mount Alexander Animal Welfare] Op Shop which she managed for the next five years. “When you are self-sufficient and can generate a comfortable income, it gives you choices and you don't have to rely on donations and grants."
It was no surprise that Tania was up and volunteering the following day after the Harcourt fire on 9 January 2026, seeing how she could best assist. After the initial emergency response, it was a quick switch into community support mode. By Monday she had secured the vacant Mitsubishi building through the generosity of Colin Rantall to open up a Donation & Distribution Centre under the endorsement of the Harcourt Progress Association. 150 volunteers worked at the Centre in the first three weeks including many Rotarians. The Centre is now operating with a core team of 'trauma informed' and trained volunteers who are providing a consistent meet and greet service to individuals accessing the service.
Some days they provide a service for up to 10 or 15 families. We welcome them to our "little David Jones store" with everything laid out in sections, explained Tania. "Recovery is different for every person affected by the fire. They can be good one day and not so good the next."
Tania is so appreciate of the support given by so many individuals, businesses and organisations including Rotary and its extended networks. On top of that, she is not afraid to ask anyone for help if there is a connection that can help get her in a corporate door to benefit the community.
Timewise, Tania believes that the Centre will be required for at least a year, two years would be ideal. Some people are still being moved every 3 or 4 days from temporary accommodation. They won’t be able to replace their homes for months, possibly years, then they will be looking for assistance with furniture and electrical appliances. “This is a long-term recovery.”
While the Donation & Distribution Centre will be seeking new premises when the current location goes up for auction, Tania is already thinking long term with the possibility of setting up profitable op/collectibles shop in Harcourt to invest back into their emergency response services. "Nothing donated will be wasted," she said.
The Donation Centre is currently accepting only new and quality goods, particularly household items. Drop off is Monday and Wednesday 10.00am – 1.00pm.
During her talk Tania suggested that it would be great to show the community through the centre. Subsequently Rotary has organised a tour on Wednesday 25 March at 5.00pm prior to our FFF evening. Interested members of the community also welcome.
