Free house for fire victims

Tasmanian artist Sarah King is offering to share her country home with victims of the Tasmanian bushfires who need emergency housing. Pictures: Supplied

IMAGINE losing your home, your belongings and your memories in a devastating bushfire.

Then imagine being given the chance to recuperate on an idyllic country property with animals, an organic garden with a pond and 1.2 acres to roam.

Among the offers of help for those left devastated by the Tasmanian bushfires, artist and pensioner Sarah King, 66, has offered to share her farm house for as long as it takes a family to rebuild their own home.

Prompted by her own experiences of homelessness and a desire to share her beautiful home, Ms King said she had opened her house to strangers many times over the past 18 years, and said all she wanted was to offer a chance at happiness.

"What I want to offer is a chance to start again," she said.

"I have been homeless, and I will accept anyone as they are, as long as they accept me as I am.

"I would like this to be a starting place for people – it's just somebody offering their beautiful home to share, a wonderful life in the country that is really healthy."

Ms King's generous offer has already been shared by almost 50,000 Facebook users, where she posted her offer in a group dedicated to helping fire victims, Tassie Fires - We Can Help.

Ms King has registered her home with the Tasmanian Government as emergency housing.

Tasmanian Human Services Minister Cassy O'Connor said in a statement that more than 300 people had already received emergency housing.

"The level of community support for those who have either lost their homes or have been displaced by the fires is truly inspiring, and a reminder to us all what a generous and resilient people Tasmanians are," she said.

Kembang Trotoar