ENJOYING a coffee at her favourite cafe in Richmond has seen Yvonne Impiombato score $10,000 for Bilpin District Community Hall committee to replace its leaking water tank.
Mrs Impiombato, a member of the Bilpin hall committee, entered a Piazzo D’Oro Local Love competition running at her favourite coffee spot Chutney Cafe in Richmond Mall.
The competition asked Piazzo D’Oro coffee lovers to enter a 50 word submission on how winning the campaign could benefit their local community.
Mrs Impiombato’s entry explained how important the community hall was to the Bilpin community and local Rural Fire Service, particularly in the event of an emergency.
She said securing their water source at the hall was vital to servicing the community and its needs.
“When they called to tell me we had won they asked what we were hoping for and I told them $2000 or $3000 would greatly assist us in fixing the leak,” Mrs Impiombato said.
“The lady then told me to sit down as we had won $10,000 ... I was astonished.
“It’s fantastic for our hall and for our community,” she said.
Secretary of the hall committee Nicky Warner encouraged Mrs Impiombato to make the submission and she too was thrilled with the outcome.
She said the hall was used as an evacuation centre in the event of a bushfire or emergency and ensuring there was always water available to them was important.
She said the $10,000 meant they could now replace the leaking tank for a much bigger model.
“The hall is the social hub of the district. Not only is it vital to the RFS in the case of an emergency, but it’s also used by playgroups, markets and the community for private use,” she said.
Bilpin RFB president Steve McMillan and sister and fellow volunteer Penny McKinlay were also at the presentation on Monday and spoke on how important the hall was to the local brigade.
In the event of a bushfire Mr McMillan said the hall was a major assembly point for not only their brigade, but trucks from across the state and interstate.
They also said the use of the hall for their annual Bilpin Bush Run was invaluable, with the event attracting between 400-500 people annually.
“During the bush run we run a portable shower block using the water from the hall’s tanks, and other kitchen and bathroom needs within the hall as well,” Ms McKinlay said.
As well at the $10,000 for the hall, Mrs Impiombato has also won herself free coffee for an entire year and Chutney Cafe was given $1000 for its part in promoting the initative.
Piazza D’Oro presented the check to Mrs Impiombato during a presentation at Chutney Cafe on Monday
