Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund
The Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund was established on February 8 by the Victorian Government in partnership with the Federal Government and Australian Red Cross, to support individuals and communities in towns and suburbs affected by the 2009 Victorian bushfires.
Appeal Fund Contributes to the Statewide Reconstruction Plan
The Rebuilding Together plan sets out the rebuilding priorities for bushfire-affected communities, which have been driven by local communities. These priorities will help to rebuild essential town buildings and services, generate business growth and investment and rehabilitate key local attractions central to future prosperity.
Initially, funding from the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund was allocated to individuals and families to assist with their urgent needs, and thousands of survivors have received support, with more still flowing.
However, the Appeal Fund Advisory Panel also set aside about 25 per cent of the total funds raised for community projects in the bushfire-affected areas. As a result, the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund is proud to be able to contribute $56 million to the statewide reconstruction effort on behalf of its donors.
For more information, view the full news article.
The Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund Independent Advisory Panel, chaired by Pat McNamara, is made up of community leaders who oversee the Fund's operation and the allocation of funds, based on a number of Criteria for payments.
The Panel has visited communities across Victoria, touched by the fires, and spoken to survivors about their needs. The Panel is working to strike the right balance between ensuring that funding is dispersed with the intent of donors and the needs of those individuals who have endured the worst natural disaster in Australia's history. Money is being provided to those people who need it the most.
Payments
In the immediate aftermath of the bushfires, the Panel made a commitment to meet the priority needs of bushfire affected communities. Funding was allocated to individuals and families to assist with these immediate needs. As time passed, different needs emerged and the Advisory Panel has developed gifts to reflect these needs.
Thousands of survivors of the bushfires from across Victoria are receiving payments under these initiatives.
How do I find out about assistance I can get?
Grants are available through the Department of Human Services and other agencies. For more information about these grants, contact the Bushfire Hotline on 1800 240 667 or go to the Department of Human Services website.
How can I donate to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund?
The Victorian Bushire Appeal 2009 officially closed on Friday 17 April. Anyone with any queries about fundraising activities or collections should contact the Australian Red Cross on 1800 811 700.