A community fund has distributed over $360,000 to 180 individuals and families affected by the 2018 St Patrick’s Day fires.
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The south-west Victorian bushfires community fund, supported by the Cobden and Districts Community Bank and the Cobden District Community Health Services.
A final distribution of over $167,900 was completed in December, bringing the fund to a close.
"These fires were the last thing local farmers needed."
- Jo Beard
Appeal committee chair James Green said this took the total distribution to families and individuals $355,400, while a further $5000 donated to ReGreen4FireAid took the total funds to $360,400.
“We are pleased to have received so much support from community members, local and state governments, community groups and especially a significant amount of fundraising by Rotary clubs from across the district,” he said.
“We are pleased to have been able to deliver this final amount directly to those who needed it most.
“And we have received a number of letters from the recipients of the funding, so it’s great to see that the money is being well received and put to good use in the ongoing recovery effort.”
The appeal committee included representatives from Corangamite, Moyne and Southern Grampians Shires, Department of Health and Human Services, and Rotary District 9780 as well as general community members.
Corangamite Shire mayor and appeal committee member Jo Beard said she was grateful to be able to distribute funds to people “directly impacted” by the fires.
“Local farmers have been challenged for a number of years by industry and economic conditions,” Cr Beard said.
“And these fires were the last thing they needed.”
The St Patrick’s Day fires burned 40,000 hectares in the south-west and reportedly destroyed 22 houses, 40 sheds and thousands of livestock near Cobden, Camperdown, Terang, Gazette and The Sisters.
