The idea came from a group of residents of Bridport on the north east coast of Tasmania. They took it to public meetings at Bridport and Scottsdale, where the concept of the Dorset community 'adopting' a community affected by the Victorian bushfires received enthusiastic support from all sectors represented. Representatives from Dorset Council, Industry groups, TFGA, the Combined Churches of Dorset, Youth, Schools and others all agreed in principle that adopting a town would be a worthwhile project to pursue.

At the meeting at Scottsdale RSL on Thursday 19th February there was much discussion about possible outcomes, pitfalls to avoid, and potential problems. But all were unanimous that we should appoint a steering committee to choose a suitable area, based on size, needs, and social and economic likeness to our own area in order to maximise our effectiveness in helping.

The idea is not to duplicate what is already being done by government and private agencies, but to reach out with moral support, social, material and spiritual help to an affected area. This would be done by 'networking the networks' that we already have. By helping the right hand to know what the left is doing. And by linking needs in the fire-affected area with skills, resources and generous offers of help in our own community. Above all, this was to be not so much concerned with the immediate future, as with the mid and long term needs of bushfire towns. We want to be there with a helping hand when the mass media has moved on and the attention of the world has passed to other things.