As promised, this project has been replaced by the New Zealand Red Cross Givealittle Bushfire challenge. Join the challenge http://www.givealittle.co.nz/fires Donations to the Challenge are eligible for a tax rebate. Anyone who has already donated to this project who would like a new receipt issued are welcome to contact mailto:support@givealittle.co.nz
Jack Barber's story http://www.redcross.org.au/vic/images/Jack-Barber http://www.redcross.org.au/vic/images 'I live on Pine Ridge Road -- or used to live there. Yesterday about 3pm the wind was blowing the fire away, and then within half-an-hour the wind changed and came up Sugar Loaf Mountain. We saw the clouds of smoke above us and decided to leave our house. We left and went down to West King Lake fire brigade but was told it wasn't safe there.' In the end Jack and his family spent the night on the football oval in King Lake. Phyllis Reid's story 'It took us ages to get here because it was a total zigzag dodging carcasses and debris on the road, but when we got here it was brilliant. There was something to eat, something to drink and there were toilets!' 'I've lost my house but we got everything out that breathes so that's the main thing.' Phyllis Reid describes the scene she saw around her as a holocaust. The support of the recovery centre has been absolutely wonderful.'
Victorian Bushfire Appeal 2009 The 2009 Victorian Bushfire Fund to assist individuals and communities affected by devastating bushfires in Victoria has been launched by the Premier John Brumby in partnership with Red Cross and the Federal Government. A number of corporate organisations including NAB, ANZ, CBA and Wesfarmers have also contributed to the fund. An independent panel made up of community leaders will oversee the appeal Fund's operation. Criteria for assistance will include the extent of the hardship covered and the extent to which a person's livelihood has been impacted.
