More than 109 communities across Victoria were devastated by one of
the worst natural disasters in Australia’s history.
However, in the
face of unimaginable tragedy came humanity and heroism.
Immediately after the 2009 bushfires the Victorian Government, in
partnership with Australian Red Cross and the Commonwealth Government,
established the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal 2009.
When the Appeal officially closed on Friday, 17 April, 2009, $379
million had been raised. With interest, that figure now stands at more
than $401 million including interest.
Funds donated through Australian Red Cross are held in a separate
trust account established by the Victorian Government. These funds are
distributed at the direction of an Independent Advisory Panel, chaired
by the former Deputy Premier, the Hon Pat McNamara. Other members of the
Advisory Panel are the Hon. Robert Tickner, CEO, Australian Red Cross,
Christine Nixon, volunteer advisor on Bushfire Recovery; and Pam White,
ex-officio, Department of Human Services.
It’s important to note that all the interest earned has gone back
into the fund, so that every cent of the $401 million raised by the
Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund has been allocated to bushfire-affected
people and communities.
Furthermore, all the administrative costs related to the operation
of the Fund are paid by the Victoria Government, which ensures that the
donated money has gone – and does go - to those in need.
To date, more than 44,600 payments have been made to individuals
and families affected by the bushfires. These payments covered three
broad categories: Initial Emergency Payments, Rebuilding and Recovery
Payments, and Support Payments.
Of the $401 million, nearly $320 million – about 80 per cent of the
Fund – was allocated for emergency, housing, physical, bereavement and
psychological support gifts and programs for individuals and families,
and more than $80 million was designated for community-strengthening
initiatives in bushfire-affected towns and communities.
$383 million of the donated money has been paid out, representing more than three quarters of the total
Fund.
Vicitorian Bushfire Appeal Fund December 2013 Progress Report
This
is the 2013 VBAF Progress Report which summarises the expenditure of
the Fund for 2013. The focus for the Panel this year has been to ensure
that individuals and families secure long-term accommodation and that
ongoing support is in place for those residents who may need it going
forward.
- Vicitorian Bushfire Appeal Fund December 2013 Progress Reports
Word version of the 2013 Progress Report.
- Appendix A: Medium and Long-term Recovery Projects
A full list of medium and long-term recovery projects.
- Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund Six Month Progress Report
This
report outlines how the Advisory Panel supported survivors of the
bushfires in the six months since the Fund was established. The Advisory
Panel has worked closely with bushfire-affected people and communities
to determine where the greatest need was. During these six months the
Advisory Panel has listened carefully to feedback to better understand
what the emerging and changing needs are and will be into the future.
- Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund Six Month Progress Report
Word version of the Six Month Progress Report.
- Appeal Fund Public Report - First 100 Days
This
first public report of the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund was released
in May 2009. The report summarises activities of the Advisory panel and
the Fund's involvement in the phases of recovery. The report describes
payment types and grant amounts, the application process, the criteria
for allocation, and future directions for the fund.
- Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund Twelve Month Progress Report
This
report, released in February 2010, summarises activities of the
Advisory panel and the Fund's involvement in the phases of recoveryover
12 months. The report includes description of payment types and grant
amounts, the application process and the criteria for allocation.
- Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund Twelve Month Report
This
report, released in February 2010, summarises activities of the
Advisory panel and the Fund's involvement in the phases of recovery over
12 months. The report includes description of payment types and grant
amounts, the application process and the criteria for allocation
- Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund December 2010 Progress Report
The
Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund represents an overwhelming act of
generosity that has made a major contribution to the massive combined
recovery and rebuilding effort for bushfire affected communities. In the
22 months since the 2009 Victorian bushfires, the Fund has raised over
$392 million in total, including over $9 million in interest, all of
which has now been committed. The Progress Report shows how the Fund
will continue to support bushfire affected individuals and communities
in the medium to longer term.
This
report summarises the work of the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund over
the 18 months to August 31, 2010, and includes a financial update on the
allocation and distribution of VBAF funds.
- Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund 30 Month Report and Financial Information
This
is the 30-month report of the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund which
summarises the work of VBAF and includes a financial update on the
allocation and distribution of funds to August 26, 2011.
- Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund December 2011 Progress Report
This
is the December 2011 Progress Report of the Victorian Bushfire Appeal
Fund, which details the Fund's expenditure and sets out the ways which
VBAF is continuing to support those impacted by the February 2009
bushfires.
- Victorian Bushfire Appeal Three Year Report and Financial Information
The
following report of the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund summarises the
work of VBAF and includes a financial update on the allocation and
distribution of funds to February 28, 2011
- Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund December 2012 Progress Report
The
Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund December 2012 Report provides an update
on the allocation and distribution of donated money and explains how the
Fund continues to support people and communities impacted by the 2009
Victorian bushfires.
- Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund Progress Report and Financial Information 28 June 2013
This
report provides an update on the progress of the Victorian Bushfire
Appeal Fund, including a financial statement as at 28 June 2013.