BLACK Saturday victims vowed last night to build a "mini-Marysville" on the flattened town's surviving golf course, and actor Russell Crowe offered to fund a new community centre for the devastated residents.As the death toll rose to 208 yesterday, Marysville Golf Club president Doug Walter told locals temporary housing would be built on the course's fairways and government agencies would operate out of the club rooms.
"This club is no longer a club dedicated to golf and bowls," Mr Walter said. "It is a club dedicated to the community."
He said later that Crowe had offered to finance building a permanent community centre in Marysville.
Former federal Labor MP Kim Wilkie has been appointed to manage the town's rebuilding project.
"Australians are very resilient," Mr Wilkie said last night. "You can destroy their property but you can't destroy their spirit."
Power has been restored to the town, and water is expected to be pumped from a local river into the town's reservoir from today.
Victoria Police lifted the Black Saturday death toll last night from 201 to 208 as Marysville claimed the unfortunate title of the town with the most fatalities.
The official number of people killed in Marysville has increased from 39 to 45.
Story from The Australian
With many thanks to Miss Kylie :-)
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