About the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund
More than 109 communities across Victoria were devastated by one of the worst natural disasters in Australia’s history. However, in the face of unimaginable tragedy came humanity and heroism.
Immediately after the 2009 bushfires the Victorian Government, in partnership with Australian Red Cross and the Commonwealth Government, established the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal 2009.
When the Appeal officially closed in April, $379 million had been raised. That figure now stands at more than $395 million including interest.
Funds donated through Australian Red Cross are held in a separate trust account established by the Victorian Government. These funds are distributed at the direction of an Independent Advisory Panel, chaired by the former Deputy Premier, the Hon Pat McNamara. Other members of the Advisory Panel are the Hon. Robert Tickner, CEO, Australian Red Cross, Christine Nixon, volunteer advisor on Bushfire Recovery; and Pam White, ex-officio, Department of Human Services.
It’s important to note that all the interest earned has gone back into the fund, so that every cent of the $395 million raised by the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund has been allocated to bushfire-affected people and communities.
Furthermore, all the administrative costs related to the operation of the Fund are paid by the Victoria Government, which ensures that the donated money has gone – and does go - to those in need.
To date, more than 27,000 payments have been made to individuals and families affected by the bushfires. These payments covered three broad categories: Initial Emergency Payments, Rebuilding and Recovery Payments, and Support Payments.
Of the $395 million, nearly $314 million – about 80 per cent of the Fund - was allocated for emergency, housing, physical, bereavement and psychological support gifts and programs for individuals and families, and more than $81 million was designated for community-strengthening initiatives in bushfire-affected towns and communities.
Nearly $306 million of the donated money has been paid out, representing more than three quarters of the total Fund.
Bushfire Appeal Fund Reports
Downloads
Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund Six Month Progress Report [PDF, 982.0 KB]This report outlines how the Advisory Panel supported survivors of the bushfires in the six months since the Fund was established. The Advisory Panel has worked closely with bushfire-affected people and communities to determine where the greatest need was. During these six months the Advisory Panel has listened carefully to feedback to better understand what the emerging and changing needs are and will be into the future.- Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund Six Month Progress Report [Word, 436.0 KB]Word version of the Six Month Progress Report.
- Appeal Fund Public Report - First 100 Days [PDF, 263.2 KB]This first public report of the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund was released in May 2009. The report summarises activities of the Advisory panel and the Fund's involvement in the phases of recovery. The report describes payment types and grant amounts, the application process, the criteria for allocation, and future directions for the fund.
- Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund Twelve Month Progress Report [PDF, 775.9 KB]This report, released in February 2010, summarises activities of the Advisory panel and the Fund's involvement in the phases of recoveryover 12 months. The report includes description of payment types and grant amounts, the application process and the criteria for allocation.
- Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund Twelve Month Report [PDF, 3.2 MB]This report, released in February 2010, summarises activities of the Advisory panel and the Fund's involvement in the phases of recovery over 12 months. The report includes description of payment types and grant amounts, the application process and the criteria for allocation
- Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund December 2010 Progress Report [PDF, 1.4 MB]The Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund represents an overwhelming act of generosity that has made a major contribution to the massive combined recovery and rebuilding effort for bushfire affected communities. In the 22 months since the 2009 Victorian bushfires, the Fund has raised over $392 million in total, including over $9 million in interest, all of which has now been committed. The Progress Report shows how the Fund will continue to support bushfire affected individuals and communities in the medium to longer term.
- Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund 18 Month Report and Financial Information [Word, 879.0 KB]This report summarises the work of the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund over the 18 months to August 31, 2010, and includes a financial update on the allocation and distribution of VBAF funds.
- Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund 24 Month Report and Financial Information [Word, 889.5 KB]This 24-month report summarises the work of the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund over the past two years and includes a financial update on the allocation and distribution of VBAF funds.
- Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund 30 Month Report and Financial Information [Word, 895.5 KB]This is the 30-month report of the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund which summarises the work of VBAF and includes a financial update on the allocation and distribution of funds to August 26, 2011.
- Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund December 2011 Progress Report [PDF, 3.2 MB]This is the December 2011 Progress Report of the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund, which details the Fund's expenditure and sets out the ways which VBAF is continuing to support those impacted by the February 2009 bushfires.
- Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund December 2011 Progress Report [Word, 450.5 KB]This is the December 2011 Progress Report of the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund, which details the Fund's expenditure and sets out the ways which VBAF is continuing to support those impacted by the February 2009 bushfires.
- Victorian Bushfire Appeal Three Year Report and Financial Information [Word, 896.0 KB]The following report of the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund summarises the work of VBAF and includes a financial update on the allocation and distribution of funds to February 28, 2011
- Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund December 2012 Progress Report [PDF, 2.6 MB]The Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund December 2012 Report provides an update on the allocation and distribution of donated money and explains how the Fund continues to support people and communities impacted by the 2009 Victorian bushfires.
- Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund December 2012 Progress Report [Word, 492.0 KB]The Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund December 2012 Report provides an update on the allocation and distribution of donated money and explains how the Fund continues to support people and communities impacted by the 2009 Victorian bushfires.