As of Saturday 14th March, the survivors of Marysville were allowed back into their once beautiful township, to sift through what remains from 'Black Saturday'.
Even though overwhelmed with a number of the community unaccounted for, this community is so united and ready to rebuild their lives and town already a new Chamber of Commerce has formed and keen to act.
Strong ties between Marysville and the Northern Beaches have developed they appreciate the tremendous generosity of the Northern Beaches local business community, Inspiring Women and community at large and want to keep us up to date. The supplies donated have been warehoused in a 'co-op' set up so the people can help themselves to what they need.
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Local Businesses use networking to assist Victorian Bushfire Communities
One of our past Warringah Chamber Executives had emailed for assistance as some of her family are involved in businesses in Marysville, Victoria.
For those of you who don't know this area, it is a gorgeous little historical village in the bushland area of Victoria. (visit http://www.marysvilletourism.com/ to see how it used to look)
Marysville is a small town where everyone knew everybody and always looked out for each other.
After the bushfires had been through, only 7 buildings were left standing. Many had died and all the residents had been displaced into "tent city" until police, insurance people, SES and others had all done their jobs.
The request from our member was a simple one.....
The remaining Marysville people need the following:
- Pillow cases for the orphaned animals
- Blankets
- Phone rechargers (most people had fled for their lives and left their rechargers behind)
- Pet food
- Toiletries
- Toothpaste
An empty shop was located in Dee Why for storage and emails were sent out to the business community to "please assist" with their needs.
The response was overwhelming!
Here we were thinking that we'd get about a ute and a trailer full, what we didn't expect was the response...
Heartfelt thank you's go to many businesses and locals but especially to:
- Warringah Chamber of Commerce members and friends
- Inspiring Women members and friends
- Sun Express in Brookvale for donating a truck and all fuel to delivery the extra 83 large boxes that we still had to get there,
- Thrifty at Brookvale who partly donated a large 1.6 toone high top van and free mileage
- St Rose Catholic Primary School whose children donated toys and parents donated much neede homewares and manchester
- Mona Vale Newsagency who without telling me had started collecting for us in the Pittwater area and had collected a massive collection of beautiful homewares & clothes
- Rent a space Brookvale for donating boxes and their extraordinary manager Terry who drove the large van down to Victoria and back
- To the Inspiring Women mailing list who had donated boxed of new bras, doonas, pillows, baby clothes, books, toys-even a fold up bed!
- Travelodge Manly Warringah who donated "left behind" mobile phone recharges, cables etc
- Dee Why Variety store who donated large bags for storage
- My Office Services who sent out the request to their clients who collected massive amounts of donations and fund raised for fuel, who also sent in caps from their clients Jim Beam
- Smallwoods Lawyers
- Be Inspired
- Ken MacManus & family
- On Fire Design
- Chris Andrew
- Profile Health
- Kennards for boxes
- Helen Bailey- Celebrant 4 you
- Helen Scard
- Therese and Wayne Roby from Cuisine Scene/Hospitality Solutions for all their donations and enthusiasm and networking skills
- Leslie from Playhouse Toys
- Wendy Buckingham from Class One Productions
- Concept Amenities for their boxes of sample toiletries
- Multi-powered Products for their battery & solar powered devices
- Dee Why Police
- Dee Why Dry Cleaners for clothes hangers
plus much much more!
So many locals walked in off the street, asking what was needed and then going and buying it and bringing it in. Manly items were brand new or gorgeously looked after, suitcases came in full of clothes,toys, shoes, a lovely lady from a local crocheting club donated beautifully trimmed towels, face washers, blankets that they had been working on for a year- too many things to describe!
Unfortunately many staff of existing businesses and owners have died, including both the president and vice president on the Marysville Chamber of Commerce. The local resort has decided not to reopen in the future as many residents had jumped into their pool to get away from the fire...the temperatures were too high for anyone to survive.
Marysville will rebuild- they are a strong community and are worried whether anyone will come and visit their village again. They will need our support when they rebuild. This will be a "must-visit" destination when they reopen again to assist their community to grow.
Without networking none of this wonderful assistance would have happened!
Visit http://gergsyad.blogspot.com/ (Sun Feb 22,2009) to see a Richard's view of the fire. The photo you see at the top is the last remaining boxes, all the 100's of large bags, suitcases and smaller boxes have already been distributed.
The large boxes are now at Ruffy awaiting collection by Richard in the Marysville Bus, going through to Alexandra about a half hour trip,where a distribution point will be set up for Marysville and the surrounding community.
They were really happy that we had labelled the contents of all the containers which was something not done by many other groups that had sent stuff down for distribution.
We will have photo's of the distribution in about 10 days.
Gotta love networking!
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The Victorian Bushfires: How You Can Help
The best way to give in the early days of the Victorian bushfire emergency is to donate money.That way emergency services and welfare organisations can quickly direct help to where it's needed most.
If you are unable to give money (or even if you can), there are many other ways you can give to help support the victims of Victoria's bushfires.
This page is being updated constantly. Please refresh your screen or return to the page for updates.
If you have been affected by the bushfires and are in need of help, either for yourself or your animals, visit the Department of Human Services' information page at www.dhs.vic.gov.au/emergency/current-events/bushfire, or the ABC's information page here. If you are unable to contact family and friends in the affected areas call the Red Cross Family Assistance Line 1800 727 077. Overseas callers should phone +61 3 9328 3716.
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Quicklinks
Donate Money Online
We have listed all the major appeals relating to the bushfire emergency. Click here to browse the appeals.
Donate Money at Banks, Australia Post Offices, Shops
If you are unable to make an online donation you can deposit money direct with the following banks, who have established services to receive donations.
| Bank |
Account Name |
BSB |
Account Number |
| Westpac |
Victorian Bushfire Relief Appeal |
033 688 |
379 004 |
| NAB |
Victorian Bushfire Relief Fund |
082 001 |
860 046 797 |
| ANZ |
Victorian Bushfires relief account |
013 006 |
2521 01991 |
| CBA |
Commonwealth Bank Bushfire Appeal |
062 000 |
1207 5700 |
| BankSA |
2009 Victorian Bushfire Relief Appeal |
112 879 |
491 045 616 |
| Heritage Building Society |
Heritage Disaster Relief Account (fires and Qld floods) |
638 000 |
11625570 |
Bendigo Bank: Donate at any Bendigo Bank branch - find your nearest branch here.
Bank of Queensland: Donate at any bank branch - find your nearest branch here.
Australia Post: Donations at any Australia Post office in Australia - find your nearest Post Office here.
Bunnings: Donate at any Bunnings store - find your nearest store here.
Myer: Donate at any Victorian Myer store - find your nearest store here.
Coles: Donate at any Coles supermarket checkout - find your nearest store here.
Westfield: Donations at any Westfield Shopping Centre - find your nearest branch here here.
Raise money for those affected by the bushfires
Many, many people want to raise money for those affected by the bushfires but are concerned about the possibility of unthinkingly contravening the law.
You can check on the fundraising rules in your state by clicking here.
If you do need to get a fundraising license, and you'll be fundraising in Victoria, Consumer Affairs has promised to try to respond to applications within a day (although it will still take 28 days for a license to be issued).
Our Community has a number of free resources for people wishing to raise funds for community causes. Visit the Community Funding Centre at www.ourcommunity.com.au/funding.
In addition, the Red Cross have developed a community fundraising kit for groups who wish to raise money for the bushfire appeal. The kit is available on the Red Cross' website or via this link.
If you are planning to stage a fundraising event in aid of those affected by the bushfires, you can register it at the Victorian Government's website at www.premier.vic.gov.au/pages/bushfire-fundraising-events.html.
Importantly, The Federal Government has announced that it will introduce legislation to ensure that bushfire appeals donations can be used by a charity both for emergency relief (as is the case now) and for longer term recovery and reconstruction projects, without this affecting the charity's current tax concessional status. The change will probably also apply to other natural disasters. For more information, click here.
Donate Your Time
A lot of emergency and community services are currently operating at peak capacity and could use your help.
- Register as a Volunteer. Anyone willing to volunteer time and skills to support the communities affected by the bushfires should call the Information Victoria Bushfire Volunteer Hotline on 1300 366 356 or complete a registration form by clicking here. Please note you may not be contacted immediately as agencies are concentrating on volunteers who are already trained and accredited, but you will be contacted in the future with details on how you can volunteer.
- Join an emergency services organisation. Groups like the CFA, St John's Ambulance and the State Emergency Service provide an incredibly important service in times such as these. Find your nearest organisation through the Join In, Join Up! community directories here. (It's probably a good idea to wait until the current crisis has passed to get in touch.)
- Join a community support organisation. As well as those on the front lines fighting fires and making things safe so people can return to their towns, there are many community groups working in the background providing practical and emotional support. Find an organisation in your geographic or interest area through the Join In, Join Up! community directories here.
- Provide support for a volunteer. If you know an emergency services volunteer, make contact with them and offer your assistance in taking up some of their day-to-day tasks - walking the dog, bringing in the mail, looking in on elderly relatives, etc. Your support will help them do their job with greater peace of mind.
- Offer help to your local op-shop or collection point. A lot of op-shops and charity shops, particularly those closest to the fires, are being inundated with donated goods intended for the victims of the fire. They may be able to use your help in sorting the items. Give your local shop a call or drop in and see if they could use an extra set of hands.
- Check if your local council needs help. Most local councils have emergency management recovery responsibilities. If you live in an area near the fires, you may be able to assist. Contact your local council to see if they could use some help. There is a list of local council contact details here.
- Accountants: CPA Australia has opened a register for those who wish to offer assistance to people in bushfire-hit areas. The register will be sent to Small Business Victoria who will organise the best way to match the available skills with the assistance needed. To register, click here.
- Electricians: Electricians who wish to donate their time and expertise to help those hit by the bushfires can contact the Electrical Trades Union on (03) 8329 0000. The ETU is co-ordinating a register of electricians keen to help and willing to travel to do work in towns affected by the fires.
- Lawyers: Barristers can register their interest in donating time to help those affected by the bushfires through a scheme set up by the Victorian Bar's Legal Assistance Service (VBLAS). A register of those willing to provide pro-bono assistance is being compiled, and the service will be administered through the Public Interest Law Clearing House (PILCH). For those wishing to help, contact Daniel Jacobs or Michael McKiterick at VBLAS (VBLAS@pilch.org.au, Michael.McKiterick@pilch.org.au) or (03) 86364400, Alexandra Richards, QC (alexrichards@vicbar.com.au; (03) 9225 7533) or any other member of the Victorian Bar Legal Assistance Committee. In particular, assistance will be needed in the following areas of law: Housing and tenancy; Centrelink and welfare rights issues; Insurance/non-insurance; Loss of identification papers, insurance papers etc; Personal injuries; Family law issues; Issues around powers of attorney, wills etc. Lawyers should register with the Law Institute of Victoria - telephone (03) 9607 9311.
- Tactile (massage) therapists: Any tactile or massage therapists that wish to help in bushfire-hit areas can do so through Hands on Health Australia's Therapists Unite initiative. The initiative is asking for therapists willing to volunteer at a relief site and help emergency service workers at the locations to register either by phone or email. Therapists can register by phone on 03402 733 443 or by email on unitedtherapists@gmail.com. When registering, please provide the following information: name, modality, contact number, email address, equipment you have (massage table or seated massage chair), when you are available in the coming 10 or so days, and which region you are willing to travel to: Whittlesea, Yea, Alexandra, Gippsland, Healesville, Wesburn, other, or any. For more information, visit: http://therapistsunite.blogspot.com.
- Doctors: The Rural Workforce Agency Victoria (RWAV) is overseeing locum relief to help those affected by the bushfires. While RWAV has received a large response to their call, it feels the demand for assistance will only increase in the coming weeks and months. For more information, or to volunteer, contact: Anita Smith (anitas@rwav.com.au), Bernie Heaton-Harris (bernieh@rwav.com.au), or Jennifer Baker (jennib@rwav.com.au).
- Builders: HIA has established a database for members where equipment, materials and offers of support can be registered. Members can contact Sarah Moate on 03 9280 8275 or preferably by email on s.moate@hia.com.au. They will be passing on offers of support and contact details to the Premier's Coordinating Manager for Bushfire Relief. HIA has also established a toll free number where members can leave their details and offers of support. That number is 1300 787 442.
- Plumbers: Plumbers who wish to donate their time to assist in the restoration of water supply and sanitation services in rural areas affected by bushfire should contact the Plumbing Trades Employees Union on 9662 3388.
Offer Accommodation
Donate Blood
To donate blood call the Red Cross on 131 495 or find your nearest blood donations centre at www.donateblood.com.au. Please note that the Blood Service is experiencing heavy demand and is asking Victorians to stagger their donations over the coming weeks and months. Online registration is preferred at this time.
Donate Clothes, Toiletries and Other Goods
Please note that most emergency and relief services are reporting they are at capacity when it comes to accepting donations of clothes and other goods. Many are now requesting that no more goods be donated. Please give carefully.
Vinnies
All Victorian St Vincent de Paul stores are also collection points for goods for bushfire victims. You can drop off goods at your local store with a note saying they are specifically for those affected by the fires. The Rowville Warehouse at Lot 7, Henderson Rd, Rowville (Melway 72 K10), is the central collection point for St Vinnies. The warehouse is open 8am-5pm daily and people are there to help.
Items in demand include mobile phone chargers, shampoo, deodorant, sanitary pads and tampons, nappies, baby wipes, baby bottles and formula. Donations of tools are also greatly appreciated Please note that most items of clothing needs are sufficiently covered already but donations of new underwear and socks and extra large men's and women's clothing will be gratefully received.
Salvos
Salvos stores were accepting donations of goods and other items towards bushfire relief efforts until late last week. However, due to the overwhleming response, they can no longer accept donations of items. The Salvos have thanked everyone for their support and have reminded people they can still make cash donations to their appeal by: clicking here.
Red Cross
Similarly, the Red Cross is no longer taking donations of items after being overwhelmed by people's generosity during its initial appeal for support. It is, however, still asking people to make cash donation if they wish. Cash donations can be made by clicking here.
Yarra Ranges Shire
For those wishing to donate to bushfire relief efforts to help residents around the Yarra Ranges, Yarra Ranges Shire Council now has a registration system in place to handle offers of counselling, food and trade services, or donations of materials and equipment, or any other assistance. The registration form can be found on the front page of the council website (www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au) along with all other information about recovery and relief efforts in the shire, including for centres in Yarra Glen, Healesville and Lilydale. The council has opened a relief centre at Lilydale, at the Lilydale Recreation Reserve, Main St, Lilydale, (Melways Ref: 38 E5)
Mill Park Community Centre
Mill Park Community Centre is no longer accepting donations of items. It wishes to thank those who donated goods and supported the relief efforts.
Diamond Creek Community Centre
Diamond Creek Community Centre is still accepting donations, but only of tools and associated items. Both hand tools and power tools would be appreciated. The centre is open from 9am-6pm this week, and is located in Main Road, Diamond Creek. The centre can be contacted on (03) 9438 5299, and anyone with tools to donate should, if stopped at the community centre's gate, say they are necessary items and have been approved.
Plenty Valley Shopping Centre
Westfield's Plenty Valley Shopping Centre is taking donations of goods. Particularly needed are toiletries, bedding and canned food. Plenty Valley is located at 415 McDonalds Road, Mill Park (Melway Ref: 183 B11). The most urgently required goods may change, so it is advisable to contact Whittlesea Council (phone (03) 9217 2170) for further advice before taking goods to Westfield Plenty Valley.
Handmade items
You can donate handmade items to communities affected by the Victorian bushfires. Find out more by clicking here.
A further list of emergency relief centres set up top help those affected by the bushfires can be found at the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment website by clicking here. In many cases it is adviseable to contact the centre prior to taking items in, just to ensure the items you have to donate match the needs of support and relief efforts.
Also Fran Bailey, the Federal Member for McEwan (the electorate taking in many areas hit by the bushfires) has, on her website, listed a range of information about emergency relief efforts in bushfire-affected areas. Visit her website by clicking here.
Donate Food
Vic Relief Food Bank in Yarraville is Victoria's largest independent emergency relief resource centre and is accepting large or commercial quantities of food for distribution to those affected by the bushfire. Among the items they would appreciate are: soups and beverages, cereals, cereal and muesli bars, long-life UHT milk, canned meals and ready-to-eat products (for example, baked beans), fruit and toiletries.
In the longer term they would also appreciate donations of rice, tea, coffee and other items with a long shelf life.
Contributions can be left at the Food Bank, located at 4/2 Somerville Road, Yarraville. Anyone wanting to contribute should ring the Food Bank on (03) 9362 8300 before dropping off their items. The centre is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
SecondBite is distributing tonnes of fresh produce to bushfire-affected areas each day. The organisation is seeking bulk donations of all food types, meat, dairy, fresh fruit and vegetables from food suppliers willing to deliver to Kensington.
SecondBite's address is Unit 51, Lloyd Street Business Estate, 50 Lloyd Street, Kensignton (Melways Ref: 42, K5)
Other emergency relief centres may also need donations of various specific food items. Check the listings under the Donate Clothes, Toiletries and other goods heading to see if you can help.
Donate Mobile Phone Chargers
Telstra Countrywide is accepting donations of mobile phone chargers for distribution to those who have lost them during the bushfires. Chargers will be distributed through emergency relief centres in areas hit by the bushfires. If you have a spare mobile phone charger you wish to donate, post it to Telstra Countrywide at Locked Bag 4670, Melbourne, 3001. Include a note saying is being donated to the bushfire appeal.
Donate Furniture
To find your closest donations centre, go to
www.ourcommunity.com.au/giveclothes
Donate Musical Instruments
The Music Council of Australia (MCA), in partnership with the Dandenong Ranges Music Council has launched the Resound program to collect donations of musical instruments to replace those lost in the bushfires. The aim is to collect good quality instruments and then distribute them to musicians in real need. Those who have lost instruments can fill out an application form
here. Anyone who is interested in donating an instrument can do so by visiting
this page. All applications will be considered and the program intends to start replacing instruments as soon as possible.
Donate Blankets
To find your closest donations centre, go to
www.ourcommunity.com.au/giveblankets
Help Animals
- If you're able to offer fodder, agistment or other support for farmers affected by the bushfires, register with the Victorian Farmers Federation via phone 1300 882 833 or download the Bushfire Fodder/Agistment Form by clicking here and fax to (03) 9207 5500. In addition, a spreadsheet listing agistment opportunities has been compiled by the VFF and is available for download in a Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet format by clicking here.
- To offer horse agistment contact the Triple R Equine Welfare Crisis Network
- To help with wildlife rescue please contact Wildlife Rescuers
- To provide agistment, transport, feed or stabling for horses, contact Project Hope Horse Welfare Victoria.
- The Lost Dogs' Home is offering free veterinary treatment and microchipping for dogs and cats in the affected fire regions, as well as temporary boarding at its Cranbourne and North Melbourne Shelters. For offers of accommodation for small animals, or veterinary medicines and supplies, please contact The Lost Dogs' Home by telephoning (03) 9329 2755 (press 3 to be transferred to the fundraising area).
- The RSPCA has thanked those who have donated goods, including food, blankets, towels, leads and toys for those animals in need. So generous has the response been that it no longer needs further donations of items, but has instead requested people make cash donations. To give online, click here. Those who may have collected goods but not yet donated them to the RSPCA should either hold onto them and donate them at a later date, or look to donate them to another aid organisation.
- Animal Aid is seeking donations of supplies including water bowls, cat litter and litter trays, dog and cat food (please supply dry food in soft-pack packages), cat carriers and dog crates of all sizes, hay & chaff for livestock, bird seed for wild and domestic birds, chicken and duck food, agistment and transport for large livestock, and financial support for boarding animals until they can go home. The organisation is also running a database of people who are offering emergency accommodation and other assistance. Visit their website or call (03) 9739 0300.
- Badgar Emergency Wildlife Rescue (www.wildlifeshelter.org.au/about.htm) is one of a number of groups at the frontline of rescuing and then caring for native animals and other wildlife injured in the bushfires. Badgar is accepting donations of fuel cards and medical supplies to help carers transport animals to medical assistance, and to care for animals once they are there. Blankets, towels and other items to help them care for animals are also appreciated. To donate these items, contact Badgar on 5368 1501 or Mandy (after 6pm) on 0421 471 007. To donate money, follow the links to the appeal organised by Badgar's sister group WRAP by clicking here.
- The Yea Relief Centre is working hard to help animals affected in the crisis. It is seekign donatiosn of a variety of items, including cattle, horse and pultry feed, cattle pellets, small hay bales and hand feed for horses, dog kennels, vasoline and lanoline and replacer milk for orphaned cattle. The centre is located at the recreation reserve in Racecourse Road, Yea.
- Operational Haybale is a new website where people can lodge offers to donate and deliver fodder directly to people whose animals are without feed or pasture after the fires. People can also post requests for help. Visit operationhaybale.blogspot.com.
- Fun4Paws in Altona North is working to find temporary accommodation for dogs whose owners might have lost their homes in the fires, and who have nowhere to house them. If you can help, email contact@fun4paws.com.au with information about whether you have any children or other pets that need to be considered, as well as yard size. Those wishing to temporarily take in dogs will be contacted as dogs become available.
- Richmond Veterinary Clinic is collecting items to help animals affected by the bushfires. They are seeking items including bandages, beds and bedding, food, collars and bowls. They're at 259 Church Street, Richmond. Parking is available at the rear of clinic.
For animals in distress:
For farm animals, please contact DPI emergency hotline 136186
For injured wildlife -Wildlife Victoria 13000 94535
For wildlife and domestic, please call RSPCA 9224 2222
Donations from Interstate
Many Vinnies Centres around Australia are still accepting donations towards the bushfire relief effort. However a number cannot due to transportation and logistics issues. Before leaving a donation - and to find out what items are most needed - check with your local Vinnies Centre. To find your local Vinnies Centres please contact 1800 621 349 or go to www.vinnies.org.au.
Financial donations to St Vincent de Paul (see here) are also gratefully accepted as these will help offset transportation and sorting costs.
Donations to other appeals can be made by visiting the Australian Giving Centre emergency appeals page at www.ourcommunity.com.au/bushfires.
Organisers of the collection of donated goods that occurred at Adelaide's Showgrounds in the week after the bushfires have thanked those who supported the effort. More than 20 trucks full of goods were transported to bushfire-affected areas. However, no further donations to the showgrounds effort are being taken.
Various interestate banks are also taking donations - see the listing towards the top of the page.
Put a Bushfire Help banner on your website or email signature
Download a Bushfire Help banner or image to place on your website or on your email signature, go to http://www.ourcommunity.com.au/bushfirehelpimages or for Yellow Ribbon images, go to http://www.ourcommunity.com.au/yellow
Other Information & Services
- If you have been affected by the bushfires and are in need of help, either for yourself or your animals, visit the Department of Human Services' information page at www.dhs.vic.gov.au/emergency/current-events/bushfire, or the ABC's information page here. If you are unable to contact family and friends in the affected areas call the Red Cross Family Assistance Line 1800 727 077. Overseas callers should phone +61 3 9328 3716.
- A new website has been set up to link those who want to help with those that need help so they can contact each other directly. You can log your offers on the Give Help website at www.vicbushfiresgivehelp.com.
- Offers of help can also be posted on the ABC's message board by clicking here.
- To find out what Corporate Australia is doing to help, visit the Australian Centre for Corporate Responsibility bushfires response webpage here.
Advice for donors on avoiding scams
- The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission has warned donors to be on alert to avoid scams in the wake of the Victorian bushfire emergency. Click here to read the ACCC's media release.
- Consumers Affairs Victoria has asked people wanting to donate to bushfire appeals to check that the organisation that is conducting the appeal is registered as a licensed fundraising organisation. You can search for Victorian registered fundraisers here. Please note that some organisations (e.g. hospitals, religious organisations, schools, kindergartens, etc.) are exempt from obtaining a fundraising licence so may not be listed with Consumer Affairs). Small organisations that raise less than $10,000 and are run by volunteers are also exempt and will not appear on the listing. Note too that all organisations registered with Our Community's online giving service have been verified as eligible fundraisers. Our Community is also registered as a fundraiser with Consumer Affairs Victoria.
- Our Community has prepared a help sheet on "How to Give Wisely" to help people make decisions about who they want to give to, and how. Read the help sheet by clicking here.
- Consumers Affairs Victoria also provides advice on how to make an informed decision when making a donation. You can access their information page here.
- The Australian Red Cross advises all donors to be aware of hoax email, website scams or bogus collectors deceiving people into donating to an Australian Red Cross appeal. Read their advice here.
Join 
Bushfire Support Causes