Txt+Vid: Victorian Bushfire Victims Appeal Begins

The Premier John Brumby today launched the 2009 Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund in partnership with the Australian Government and Red Cross to support communities impacted by devastating fires which have ravaged many parts of Victoria.

Mr Brumby said the Bushfire Appeal Fund would support fire victims through the collection of cash donations and distribution of assistance to individuals and communities in towns and suburbs affected by the fires.

“Communities across Victoria have been devastated by more than 400 bushfires that have swept across the state in the most severe weather conditions we’ve seen in our history,” Mr Brumby said.

“The human cost of these fires has been horrific – in many parts of our state so many lives have been lost, so many people left with severe injuries, so many houses and possessions wrecked and whole communities almost completely destroyed.

“Our Government has already been contacted by organisations who want to donate and I encourage Australians to dig deep to help our communities to rebuild after these terrible fires.”

Organisations to have contributed to the new Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund so far include NAB, $1 million; ANZ, $1 million; Commonwealth Bank, $1 million; and Westpac, $1 million; and Wesfarmers – owner of Bunnings and Coles, $500,000.

The NAB, ANZ, Commonwealth Bank and Bunnings have also made their respective branches and stores donation points for Australians who wish to make a contribution to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund.

The Victorian Government and Australian Government have together donated an initial $4 million towards the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund. This is in addition to a bushfire recovery effort announced by the Premier and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd today.

The Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund will be established in partnership with the Red Cross and the Australian Government and act on recommendations from an independent advisory panel which will include the Red Cross.

The independent panel will be made up of community leaders who will oversee the appeal fund’s operation. The Fund will provide assistance to individuals, organisations and communities who meet the criteria set by the panel.

“Criteria for assistance will include the extent of the hardship covered and the extent to which a person’s livelihood and infrastructure has been impacted,” Mr Brumby said.

“Today many Victorian families are facing the task of having to rebuild their lives after devastating loss and the Victorian Government and Commonwealth Government will be providing every possible assistance.”

The Victorian Government will provide a secretariat through the Department of Human Services (DHS) for the fund. Individuals and organisations wishing to make a donation to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund can go to www.redcross.org.au or call the toll free number 1800 811 700

In addition, the Premier and Prime Minister also announced today an initial $10 million towards the Community Recovery Fund. The Community Recovery Fund will cover immediate costs of clean-up and removal of debris. It will also cover the restoration of community infrastructure damaged or destroyed in the fires, above and beyond the replacement of essential public assets.

The Fund will also provide grants for community development officers in each of the fire-affected areas to work with the community and all levels of Government to expedite community projects.

“I welcome the Prime Minister’s visit to Melbourne today to see first-hand the devastation that has occurred and for the Australian Government’s generous contribution of $5 million toward the Community Recovery Fund,” Mr Brumby said.

ENDS

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