Red Cross was asked by State Government to coordinate a special West Coast Bushfire fundraising appeal on behalf of victims following the tragic fires earlier this year.

All donations to the West Coast Bushfire Appeal have been allocated through the State Government’s appointment of the State Emergency Relief Fund Committee under direction of the Governor required under section 37 of the Emergency Management Act 2004.

The Red Cross West Coast Bushfire Appeal raised over $1.1m through the generosity and fundraising efforts of individuals, community organisations and corporations.  Australian Red Cross absorbed all administrative costs in running the special appeal which officially closed on 30 April 2005.

Kerry Symons, Executive Director, Australian Red Cross, South Australia, said she is extremely pleased the final round of gifts has now been distributed by the State Emergency Relief Fund Committee.

“We want to acknowledge the continued efforts and activities of the Relief Fund Committee on behalf of the Eyre Peninsula community. We are extreme happy about this latest distribution of money because it means additional vital support for local people who have endured so much,” said Ms Symons.

Barry Grear, Chair of the State Emergency Relief Fund Committee, said in third round funding allocated gifts to all those adults who received money in the initial distribution.

In the final round, each adult received $340.  Children under 16 years of age did not receive a gift in the final allocation. 

Previous funding rounds distributed to victims include $500 for each adult and $300 to every child affected by the fires and $6,000 to each family whose home was destroyed in the bushfire tragedy.

“We must once again recognise the tremendous effort and contribution by individuals, community groups and companies who have made all this possible. Red Cross is extremely humbled to have played a role in the bushfire recovery efforts,” said Ms Symons.

Ms Symons also encouraged people to visit www.service.sa.gov.au/bushfire_recovery.asp for more information on the work of the State Emergency Relief Fund Committee and the distribution of the West Coast Bushfire Appeal funds.
 
Mr Grear also added people with enquiries on the committee’s activities can contact him directly on 0418 803 334.