With recovery efforts underway in the areas of Victoria affected by last week's bushfires, Red Cross is urging anyone who has left the area and who has not notified authorities to make contact as soon as possible so they can be matched with names on the Victorian Police Missing Persons List.
More than 14,500 people have come forward since the start of the bush fires to register with the NRIS, which is operated by Red Cross on behalf of the Australian government. Anyone who has not yet registered can do so at a relief centre by contacting Red Cross staff.
Alternatively, they can supply their details by phone on 1800 727 077 or register by email at registration@redcross.org.au
Red Cross CEO Robert Tickner said: 'I fully endorse the call by Victoria's chief commissioner of police, Christine Nixon, for people who fled the bushfire areas to let us know they are safe and well as soon as possible.
'Red Cross is making a special plea for anyone who is staying with friends or relatives, as well as anyone who was away on holidays or overseas at the time of the fires, to register so that they can be matched and eliminated from the Missing Persons List by the Victorian Police.
'This also includes anyone who has reason to believe that someone may still be missing.
'Our staff in the bushfire areas are still getting a steady flow of inquiries and we will continue to take registrations as we move into the recovery phase of the operation.'
Meanwhile, the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Appeal Fund today passed $100 million.
'This is an incredible outpouring of generosity and support from the Australian people' said Mr Tickner, 'and we know that many millions more have been pledged through telethons and other fundraising events, from corporate Australia, from governments and from people as far away as the UK, East Timor, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. It truly is an amazing response.'
For more information or to arrange an interview, contact Lachlan Quick on 0412 912 378 or Jacqui Pringle on 0448 571 484
Relief centres taking registrations include:
Alexandra Leisure Centre
Downey St (Maroondah Highway), Alexandra
Ph. 5772 1284 / 5772 2281
Arthurs Creek Hall
(closed after 8pm Sunday night - reopens 8.00am Monday 16 February)
900 Arthurs Creek Road, Arthurs Creek
Ph. 9438 1994
Diamond Creek Community Centre
(closed midnight Sunday night - reopens 7.00am Monday 16 February)
28 Main Hurstbridge Rd, Diamond Creek
Ph. 9438 1994
Flowerdale Outreach Recovery
Flowerdale Hotel
Ph. TBA
Healesville Memorial Hall
(closed midnight Sunday night - reopens 8.00am Monday 16 February)
237 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville (Melway 270 C12)
Ph. 5962 6570
Kinglake (Murrindindi) Shire Offices
Main St, Kinglake
Ph. 0429 148 053
Myrtleford Senior Citizen Centre
Smith Street, Myrtleford
Ph. 5752 1338
St Andrews 'Old School'
(closed 8pm Sunday night - reopens 9.00am Monday 16 February)
Heidelberg-Kinglake Rd, St Andrews
Ph. 9438 1994
Wallan Multipurpose Community Centre
(daytime centre)
Bentinck Street, Wallan
Ph. 5783 1450
Whittlesea Community Activity Centre
(closed 10pm Sunday night - reopens 7.00am Monday 16 February)
56 Laurel St, Whittlesea
Ph. 9716 1962
Yarra Glen Memorial Hall
(closed 8pm Sunday night - reopens 8.00am Monday 16 February)
Maroondah Hwy, Yarra Glen
Ph. 9639 6515
Yea Football Oval
(closed 8pm Sunday night - reopens 6.00am Monday 16 February)
Pechall & Snodgrass Sts, Yea
Ph. 0417 310 593
