In Victoria, we continue to support people in recovery centres in Bairnsdale, Mallacoota, Corryong and Tallangatta. We’re also offering disaster recovery training to local community agencies.
Significant areas affected by the bushfires are home to First Nations communities, including the Gunaikurnai and Bidawal peoples. We are walking with these communities, to understand the deep losses they have faced and how we can support them.
In New South Wales and the ACT, we’re supporting people at recovery centres and going door-to-door to check on people in Batemans Bay, Ulladulla, Narooma, Bega and Snowy Valley (Batlow Tumut area), Snowy Mountains, and Queanbeyan.
We’re also providing psychological first aid at community recovery events, working with local and state government on recovery planning, connecting with schools and delivering our Pillowcase Program workshops to help children feel better equipped to cope with emergencies.
In South Australia, we’re still supporting people at recovery centres on Kangaroo Island and Lobethal, as well as visiting hundreds of properties at Cudlee Creek, Kangaroo Island, Yorketown and Keilira.
Queensland may have experienced fires earlier than other states, but recovery is ongoing. We continue to support communities in Sunshine Coast, Yeppoon, Bundaberg and other parts of south-east Queensland.
Our Bushfire Advisory Panel meets regularly to review emerging needs and how we can support them through funds generously donated by the public.