Shepparton businessman and philanthropist Peter Copulos, of the Peter and Maria Copulos Foundation, has donated $20 000 to volunteer organisation Shepparton Search and Rescue.
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Mr Copulos’ donation will enable upgrades and more equipment to bring its second truck up to road crash rescue standard.
Mr Copulos, 80, said giving to the community gave him a good feeling.
“I like to give something back after the help the community has given me,” he said.
“When I first came to Shepparton, I was only eight years old and Shepparton had a population of 5 000 - now it’s 40-odd thousand, and it’s grown a lot, which I think I’ve helped a little bit along the way.
“I see Shepparton Search and Rescue as a great contributor to assist the community in all the things they do.”
The second search and rescue truck was originally designed to solely deal with storm damage, such as trees falling over roads or roof tiles falling off houses.
With Mr Copulos’ donation, the back-up truck will be brought up to road crash rescue standard, which means the truck can assist emergency services in more ways.
Storm damage hit parts of Greater Shepparton earlier this week, with power outages and flood damage affecting businesses and properties.
Recently, the Peter and Maria Copulos Foundation donated $1 million towards the new Shepparton Art Museum, while the Copulos family business developed Riverside Plaza.
The Copulos family were also a significant donor to GV Health, in which there is the Peter Copulos Cancer and Wellness Centre.
Shepparton Search and Rescue president Mick D’Elia said Mr Copulos’ donation was a fantastic opportunity to establish a strong link between the volunteer organisation and the family foundation.
“Peter has built a massive legacy here in Shepparton,” he said.
“We see this as a great starting point between our organisations and hope that our work with the Copulos family is ongoing.”
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