On behalf of the Brimbank community, Brimbank Council is donating $10,000 towards Victorian bushfire relief to support communities devastated by the ongoing fires in the east of the State.
Brimbank Mayor, Cr Georgina Papafotiou said Brimbank wants to support the Victorian communities who are facing incredibly difficult circumstances because of the fires.
'The fires in the eastern and north eastern part of our state have led to terrible loss of life, property, livestock and wildlife and our hearts go out to the community members and emergency services fighting so hard at this time.
'We're feeling the pain of the communities who are affected and want to do what we can to assist.
'Brimbank Council is kicking off its support by donating $10,000 to the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund on behalf of the Brimbank community. We hope this is just the start of more donations from Brimbank, and we're asking our community to support the relief fund in whatever way they can.
'You'll see collection boxes in a number of Council facilities. Any amount is welcome. All donations made here will go to the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund, as they will get the money out to where it is most needed,' Cr Papafotiou said.
The Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund is a registered charity that provides immediate short-term funds to Gippslanders affected by natural disaster events. 100 per cent of donated funds will go directly to communities in need.
Donation tins can be found at:
- Sunshine Customer Service Centre, 301 Hampshire Road, Sunshine
- Sunshine Library, 301 Hampshire Road, Sunshine
- Sydenham Library, Ground floor of Sydenham Community Hub, 1 Station Street, Taylors Lakes
- Sunshine Leisure Centre, 5 Kennedy Street, Sunshine
No receipts can be issued for donations made to the collection tins. However if anyone wishes to make a tax deductible donation, they may donate directly to the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund at www.gerf.org.au, or to the State Government's Victorian Bushfire Appeal by donating at any Bendigo Bank branch or online at https://www.vic.gov.au/bushfireappeal
For a list of humanitarian and wildlife rescue organisations you may wish to consider donating to, visit https://www.brimbank.vic.gov.au/victorian-bushfires
As part of our relief support, Brimbank Council will absorb any event permit fees for community groups and community members who wish to hold fundraising events supporting registered and not-for-profit organisations that provide bushfire relief funding or activities.
Council is planning a community movie and barbecue on Australia Day night at Kevin Wheelahan Gardens, which provides another opportunity for gold coin donations for bushfire relief.
Brimbank Council has also offered practical and resource assistance to the affected shires and is willing to help in any way it can.
