VCOSS Bush Fires Information e-Alert
Wednesday, 18 February 2009

Contents

• Notices
• Message of support from VCOSS
• Current Information
• Donations
• Volunteering
• Support

Notices

• Message from the Governor of Victoria to the people of Victoria regarding the Victorian bushfires... click here to download: PDF(1.9MB high quality), PDF (280KB low quality)
  
  
• The government has set up a toll-free number for offers of temporary accommodation to Victoria's bushfire victims. The toll-free Victorian Bushfire Accommodation Donation Hotline - 1800 006 468 - is for people who want to donate accommodation - be it a spare room, a house, holiday home or caravan - for the temporary use of those left homeless by the fires.
  
  
• Contact the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667 for up to date information on total fire bans, fire restrictions and major fires.
  
  
• For people going to relief centres (or who are trying to locate family and friends): 1800 727 077 (Red Cross).
  
  
• The Tenants Union of Victoria advises renters who have lost their homes or suffered damage to their rental properties and require advice to contact the Tenants Union of Victoria telephone advice service on 9416 2577. Telephone advice is available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 4pm and Wednesday 1pm to 8pm.
  
  
• Message from Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) President Cr Rose Iser Regarding Bushfires: contains important information about the relief effort and its co-odination, http://www.vlga.org.au/news/detail.chtml?filename_num=260990
  

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VCOSS shares with the Victorian Community the feelings of loss and shock at the extent of the bushfires and the tragedy that they have caused.  VCOSS salutes the work of our members, volunteers, emergency services and all Victorians who have contributed so much of their professional and personal skills and expertise. If we can help you in any way please contact us on (03) 9654 5050 or by e-mailing vcoss@vcoss.org.au.  We have also issued a media release today… Download media release or go to VCOSS media releases.

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Current Information

• Department of Human Services: details of support services which offer personal, emotional, psychological and financial help to those affected: http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/emergency/current-events/bushfire
  
  
• Department of Education and Early Childhood Development: for a list of government schools affected by bushfires that will be closed today. http://www.education.vic.gov.au/
  • Early Childhood Services have also been affected by the fires. Parents with queries should contact their service directly or their local council. Queries can also be directed to the Early Childhood Information Line on 1300 731 947. http://www.education.vic.gov.au/
    
    
• Country Fire Authority (CFA). PLEASE NOTE: due to unprecedented demand on this website, CFA is requesting that people who do not need to access this information for reasons of personal safety, please refrain from doing so. Listen to ABC or local radio station for updates: ABC Melbourne: http://www.abc.net.au/melbourne/, 774AM (or see Below)
  
  
• Department of Sustainability and Environment: PLEASE NOTE: due to unprecedented demand on this website, DSE is requesting that people who do not need to access this information for reasons of personal safety, please refrain from doing so. Listen to ABC or local radio station for updates: ABC Melbourne: http://www.abc.net.au/melbourne/, 774AM (or see Below)
  
  
• Your local ABC station: For up to date news and infomation
  • ABC Melbourne: http://www.abc.net.au/melbourne/, 774AM
  • ABC Gippsland: http://www.abc.net.au/gippsland/, 828AM
  • Use ABC Frequency Finder to find your local station: http://www.abc.net.au/reception/freq/vic.htm
  • ABC Bushfire help page: for those affected by the fires, http://blogs.abc.net.au/victoria/2009/02/bushfire-help.html
    
    
    
• VIC Roads: for information on road closures http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/NewsRoom/BushFiresRoadClosures/

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Volunteering

For people who wish to volunteer time or services there are a number of places to contact. Below is a list of organisations who are co-ordinating volunteering. PLEASE NOTE: when you resister for volunteering you probably won't be contacted in the next 48hrs, the restoration of these areas is a long process, volunteers will be contacted when the organisations need a volunteer with the specific skillset listed. Service providers have asked us to ask volunteers NOT to travel into the affected areas, if you register your willingness to volunteer they will contact you when your services are requred.

• Go Volunteer Victorian Bushfire Support: The Victorian Government is helping to coordinate the support for communities affected by bushfire. Individuals willing to volunteer time and skills should call the Information Victoria Bushfire Volunteer Hotline on 1300 366 356, or visit the website to fill out a volunteer registration form http://www.govolunteer.com.au/volunteer/events.htm
  
  
• Fitzroy Oxfam: Donate Goods and Services to victims of the Bushfire tragedy, or those affected can request aid. http://www.fitzroyoxfam.org.au/
  
  
• Salvation Army Online Volunteers Register: an online form to register as a volunteer http://www.salvationarmy.org.au/volunteer/
  
  
• RSPCA: Volunteer to help the RSPCA, fill out the online RSPCA Bushfires emergency relief form http://www.rspcavic.org/campaigns_news/bushfires_help_offer.htm
  • Current info on RSPCA bushfire actions http://www.rspcavic.org/campaigns_news/news_bushfires.htm
    
    
• Wildlife Victoria: To help with wildlife rescue. The Wildlife Victoria website seems to be under heavy demand if you can get there visit the Wildlife Victoria Volunteer page: http://www.wildlifevictoria.org.au/cms/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47&Itemid=63 otherwise call 9445 0310 or e-mail volunteering@wildlifevictoria.org.au for more information.
  
  
• Triple R Equine Welfare Crisis Network: to offer horse agistment, http://triplerequinewelfare.org/_mgxroot/page_resources_crisis_network.html
  
  
• Animal Aid: For offers of accomodation for small animals (03) 9739 0300 if you can help or visit http://www.animalaid.com.au/ or any of the aid as listed below:
  • Small cages or hutches to accommodate rabbits, guinea pigs etc.
    
  • Pellets / food for rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens
    
  • Stock feed for sheep
    
  • Pet food for distribution
    
  • Money for purchase of accessories for distribution to pet owners e.g. dog leashes, cat carriers, dog beds, collars
    
    
• Volunteering Victoria: Go to their website for information on volunteering opportunities or to become a volunteer http://volunteeringvictoria.org.au/ or call 03 9642 5266
  • Volunteering Victoria Bushfire Information Media Release for volunteers: http://volunteeringvictoria.org.au/index.php/media-releases/media-releases/75-bushfires-information
  • Volunteering Victoria Volunteering Information Page: http://volunteeringvictoria.org.au/index.php/volunteer-information
    

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Donations

Authorities are asking people to focus their donations on money as it is very difficult to manage the supply of food and household goods on the ground – in particular the sites where the bushfire has ravaged the local infrastructure.

• Red Cross Victorian bushfires 2009 - Appeal: 1800 811 700, http://www.redcross.org.au/vic/services_emergencyservices_victorian-bushfires-appeal-2009.htm
  
  
• Salvation Armt Bushfire Relief Appeal: 13 SALVOS (137258), http://www.salvationarmy.org.au/home
  
  
• VicRelief Foodbank: http://vrandfb.com.au/
  
  
• To donate clothes and household goods contact: Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul, Red Cross or Brotherhood of St Lawrence.
  
  
• RSPCA: To give donations to the RSPCA visit their bushfires page http://www.rspcavic.org/campaigns_news/news_bushfires.htm and click DONATE or call 03 9224 2222 for other payment options.
  
  
• Wildlife Victoria: The Wildlife Victoria website seems to be under heavy demand if you can get there go to the Wildlife Victoria donation form http://www.wildlifevictoria.org.au/cms/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=35
  
  
• Animal Aid: Animal Aid needs the following to support bushfire victims in need, please call (03) 9739 0300 if you can help or visit http://www.animalaid.com.au/
  • Small cages or hutches to accommodate rabbits, guinea pigs etc.
    
  • Pellets / food for rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens
    
  • Stock feed for sheep
    
  • Pet food for distribution
    
  • Money for purchase of accessories for distribution to pet owners e.g. dog leashes, cat carriers, dog beds, collars

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Support

• Victorian bushfire legal help line: 1800 113 432, Download the Flyer (PDF) - Many people have lost family, friends, property, pets and livestock in the bushfires. In this difficult time it is important to understand your legal rights. You can call the Victorian bushfire legal help line to get free legal information about:
  • dealing with insurance companies about house, life and car insurance
  • what to do if you are uninsured, underinsured or denied a claim
  • housing and tenancy
  • your property - repairs, rebuilding and selling, removing debris and demolition, looting and trespass
  • dealing with electricity, phone and water companies
  • Wills
  • money problems, paying your excess, mortgages and other debts
  • getting your superannuation
  • Centrelink benefits
  • sticking to court orders
  • child support payments
  • your identification and documents
  • contracts and small business issues
  • contacting the Coroner’s office
  • going back to work and leave entitlements
  • victims of crime
  • personal injury
  • other issues.
    
    
• Department of Human Services: details of support services which offer personal, emotional, psychological and financial help to those affected: http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/emergency/current-events/bushfire
  
  
• Rural Support Line (24 hour) – 1300 655 969
  
  
• Life line (24 hour) : 13 11 14, http://www.lifeline.org.au/find_help/24_hour_counselling_service
  
  
• Kids Help line (24 hour, free call): 1800 551 800, http://www.kidshelp.com.au/home_KHL.aspx?s=6
  
  
• NURSE-ON-CALL: a telephone health line, providing Victorians with immediate, expert health information and advice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 1300 60 60 24 http://www.health.vic.gov.au/nurseoncall/
  
  
• Fitzroy Oxfam: Donate Goods and Services to victims of the Bushfire tragedy, or those affected can request aid. http://www.fitzroyoxfam.org.au/
  
  
• Beyondblue: Beyondblue info line 1300 22 4636, http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?
  
  
• Men's Line Australia (24 hour) : 1300 78 99 78, http://www.menslineaus.org.au/
  
  
• Suicide Helpline Victoria (24 hour) : 1300 651 251, http://www.suicideline.org.au/
  
  
• Parentline: (8am-midnight weekdays,10am-10pm weekends) 132 289, http://www.education.vic.gov.au/earlychildhood/parentline/
  
  
• Bereavement Counselling and Support Service: Provides information and referral assistance to members of the general public who need information on bereavement services available in Victoria, 1300 664 786, http://www.grief.org.au/couns.html
  
  
• The Compassionate Friends: 24hr grief support line for bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents, 03 9888 4944, 1800 641 091 (Country Victoria and Tasmania Only), http://www.compassionatefriendsvictoria.org.au/default.htm
  
  
• GriefLine: GriefLine's Anonymous Telephone Counselling Service provides caring and compassionate listening in times of sadness and distress. You can call GriefLine on (03) 9596 7799 between 12.00 noon and 3.00 a.m: http://griefline.org.au/
  
  
• National Association for Loss & Grief (VIC): Statewide Telephone and Referral Service which operates during the hours of 9.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday, 03 9650 3000, 1800 100 023 (freecall country Vic), http://www.nalagvic.org.au/fh-wheretofindhelp.htm
  
  
• WIRE - Women's Information: provides free information, support and referrals to women across Victoria, 1300 134 130 (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday), http://www.wire.org.au/

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