Community ready to help dad who lost all

Jessica Benton
THE DRYSDALE and Clifton Springs community has vowed to rally around a resident who lost his young family in a house fire on the weekend.
Drysdale Football Club president Greg Scott said the Hawks would discuss fundraising options for Clifton Springs’ Aaron Holloway, who tragically lost wife Ashlee, 24, and sons Brodie, Thomas, Cooper and Mackenzie, all aged under two, in the fire.
The Sunday fire also left Mr Holloway homeless after destroying the family’s Jetty Road home.
Mr Scott said the club would “certainly” be rallying behind Mr Holloway.
“We’re a community-orientated club. These sorts of events, whether you know the people or not, certainly affect everyone in the community,” Mr Scott said.
“It’s just so tragic and close to home.”
Drysdale Clifton Springs Community Association secretary Doug Carson said he expected residents to form a committee to oversee fundraising efforts.
“If such a group is not established then we’ll certainly look at doing something,” he said.
“It’s very early stages at the moment but we certainly want to be among the support efforts. It’s on our agenda next week to talk about what’s happening to support the family.
“It’s early days now but I’m guessing the fundraising efforts will begin soon and we’ll certainly throw our weight behind these.”
Mr Carson said the tragedy had devastated the close-knit community.
“We’re all totally shocked by this. To have nearly a complete family wiped out is such a tragedy.”
Thirty-one-year-old Mr Hol-loway escaped the blaze in the early hours of Sunday but was unable to save his family.
He was in Geelong Hospital this week recovering from burns, smoke inhalation and cuts.
Mr Holloway issued a statement from the hospital requesting the media respect the family’s need for privacy while they grieved for his wife and children.
A Victoria Police spokesperson said Arson and Explosive Squad detectives were awaiting the results of forensic analysis when the Independent went to press this week.
The cause of the fire had yet to be determined.
Investigating police were preparing a report for the coroner, the spokesperson said.
Police asked anyone with information to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to visit its website at www.crimestoppers.com.au.