The Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund
The Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund is a registered charitable organisation making all donations tax deductible. All donations are returned to the community and no costs are deducted.
The Fund provides relief and assistance to persons residing in the Gippsland
Update: 17 Aug 2009
Fundraiser book “Four Fires” is now available. For full details visit the Fundraising page on this website.
Update: 28 July 2009
The Committee of Management wishes to express it’s sincere thanks for the wonderful support from a huge number of individuals and families, churches, schools, community groups, law courts,hospitals,sporting clubs,local government ,business ( large and small) and their employees , unions and many other kind individuals who have so generously donated to this appeal.
With your help we have now provided direct financial aid to over 850 Gippsland families and farmers impacted by these bushfires. In addition, the Fund has to aided farmers with bushfire recovery by providing fencing materials through DPI / VFF Fencing Co-ordinators in Gippsland. This includes over 990 km of fencing wire, 23,200 steel fence posts and 1008 steel fencing end assembly units.
The Fund has also been able to assist bushfire victims with donated second hand vehicles. We have provided 12 vehicles to families/individuals who lost their cars in the fires and 4 mini buses to community groups in these fire areas. Local Gippsland Companies very kindly assisted with repairs and insurance.
None of this has been possible without your tremendous support.
Thanks to Aaron Denovan for the picture
“Give It To GERF”
Due to the impact on the Gippsland Region of 3 fire complexes in a two week period, the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund has kicked into overdrive.
At the time of this release more than 55 cheques have been issued to people affected by the Delburn complex fires which impacted the Boolarra and Mirboo North Region on the 30th of January 2009 with many more cheques to be written and distributed today.
President of the Gippsland based organization, John Mitchell, said while the response to the initial appeal after the Delburn Fires was exceptional, even more money is now needed to assist those affected by the other two fire complexes (Churchill and Bunyip) that impacted our area last Saturday.
“We were fortunate in that we had no loss of human life in the Delburn complex fires, but that all changed with the devastating fires on the weekend. Tragically many lives have now been lost, and this whole event is now a tragedy of massive proportions. The scale of the human ,stock , wildlife and asset losses is such that it is hard to comprehend and now a concerted effort is required to assist families to recover.”
The Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund was set up specifically to help people in Gippsland who are affected by emergencies and natural disasters.
Yarram on Saturday- Thanks to Aaron Denovan for the photo
“This is definitely the worst event that Gippsland has ever experienced “said John Mitchell “No one could have imagined the ferocity of this fire, nor the extent of it’s impact on our community. The funds we generate through the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund are quickly distributed to those in need based on the integrated assessment data provided by local councils and State agencies.”
John Mitchell added “The difference between donating to the National Appeal and the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund is that ALL money donated to GERF goes DIRECTLY to the victims of the fires in the GIPPSLAND area.
We have all seen the wonderful compassion and generosity of Gippslanders and Australians during this time and have been overwhelmed by the support – but the sad reality is still we need more cash donations so we can support the recovery of Gippslanders impacted by this tragic event”
People are urged to donate online to the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund by going to the website www.relieffund.org.au
Cheques can be sent to the Gippsland Emergency Relief fund at PO Box 508 Traralgon VIC 3844 or donations can be made at any National Australia Bank BSB 083 932 nominating the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund.
Many Thanks to the Latrobe Valley Express for the picture
People in need of assistance need to register through their local council emergency relief centre.