Victorian bush fires

[Chippy Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chippy]

Re: Victorian bush fires

I was gutted this morning to see the death toll had risen to 108 ... and there are still many in hospital who are not expected to make it.

The survivors of this horror are going to need every possible assistance to try and get their lives back together.

For a start .... Rudd needs to redirect some of the latest crisis buster package.
I mean who's going to care if you get $900 per kid instead of $950 ...... but it would make a huge difference in Victoria.

I also hunted around for the easiest way to donate something to lend a hand .....

... and here is the link to the official (secure on-line site) 2009 Victorian Bushfires Appeal through the Red Cross
https://www.redcross.org.au/Donation...eDonations.asp or FREECALL 1800 811 700

I urge Pradopointers across the country to put that extra modification off for a week or two and send a little help Victoria's way.

Cheers
Chippy

[mav Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close mav]

Re: Victorian bush fires

I was gutted this morning to see the death toll had risen to 108 ... and there are still many in hospital who are not expected to make it.

The survivors of this horror are going to need every possible assistance to try and get their lives back together.

For a start .... Rudd needs to redirect some of the latest crisis buster package.
I mean who's going to care if you get $900 per kid instead of $950 ...... but it would make a huge difference in Victoria.

I also hunted around for the easiest way to donate something to lend a hand .....

... and here is the link to the official (secure on-line site) 2009 Victorian Bushfires Appeal through the Red Cross
https://www.redcross.org.au/Donation...eDonations.asp or FREECALL 1800 811 700

I urge Pradopointers across the country to put that extra modification off for a week or two and send a little help Victoria's way.

Cheers
Chippy

Onya Chippy, will do likewise today.

You must have been reading my mind about the Rudd package. Personally I think there needs to be a big rethink on this now what with total devestation in both south eastern and northern Australia. It will be ages before infrastruction can be restored let alone people rebuilding their lives. They are going to need masive amounts of funding to get back on their feet and the government needs to be diverting money to this NOW

[Spurio Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Spurio]

Re: Victorian bush fires

Thoughts go out to all families, friends and communities effected in this tragic event.

It is a very sad day and will be remembered for many years to come, unfortunately the casualty count will only get worse with many sites still to be inspected.

[joey Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close joey]

Re: Victorian bush fires

Guys here is another link that we could help with

Donations to the Victorian Bushfire Relief Fund can be made at any National Australia Bank. BSB: 082-001. Account: 860 046 797.

cheers

Joey

[Golly Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Golly]

Re: Victorian bush fires

I know there is no comparison.... but this to me is like 911 for Aussies... a terrorist attack plain and simple. The prick who lit this (supposedly) must of known, with 45'c weather this is gonna cause major carnage even loss of life....

When 911 happended, my wife and I cried quite openly all morning watching it. Even went to the consulate in Perth and placed flowers...Watching this and reading about it, has already brought back bad feelins and tears to my eyes on a number of occasions. Yes just seeing some images of kids in despair tips me over the edge, seeing I have 3 girls and how would they react if put in this situation saddens me deeply....

Mr Rudd, 950$ is nice, but to people who have nothing...... will last a week if not days. Insurance companies will take there sweet time assessing, whilst families are living on handouts from Red Cross and St Vincents. These people need thousands instantly....

In times of need, all funding for overseas relief efforts should be put on hold and all funds should be placed back on home soil to help our folk. I hope this is how the government think....

I will be donating for sure people, please dig deep, your fellow Aussies need you.

Whoever lit these fires, will not last in prison IMHO..... but our do-gooders will put him in solitary for "his" or "her" safety..... thats the type of world we live in.... very sad..

Golly of soap box.

[mav Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close mav]

Re: Victorian bush fires

Folks our community in Alice is getting together to organise immediate relief items to be trucked to the affected towns. The call has gone out to donate any clothing and items that you either no longer need or simply wish to donate to be collected at a central location in town and trucked down. We are hoping to have the truck going down by this weekend.

This is a very worthwhile thing as the people in these areas need clothing and items now, money is good but there is nothing for them to buy at the moment in their towns as it has all gone up in flames. Babies need special items, bottles, formula's, just everything baby really. Kids need toys and clothing. Maybe some of our fine members can start to organise something similar from their towns and maybe there are members like D4D who can provide collection points in their areas for survivors to get these items from or a delivery point for the items to be shipped to.

Cheers

Mav

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Re: Victorian bush fires

Maybe some of our fine members can start to organise something similar from their towns and maybe there are members like D4D who can provide collection points in their areas for survivors to get these items from or a delivery point for the items to be shipped to.

My wife and I cleaned out or wardrobes etc. last night and we have a huge bag of clothes ready to go. The situation is we've been told not to take items to the local refuge centres as they currently don't have the logistics to distribute the items.

http://nillumbik.vic.gov.au/page/page.asp?page_Id=2013

Nillumbik Chief Executive Officer, Bill Forrest, thanks the generous spirit of the residents in our community for their immediate donations to relief centres in the Shire, but asks them to stop as halls are filled to capacity and volunteers are using time to sort through mountains of donations.

‘We would like people to hold off any donations until the major relief agencies can organise a coordinated system of collection and distribution. This will not happen immediately. As soon as we’ve got systems in place to cope with the very generous offers from the community we will let the major media outlets know how people can help.

‘We need to be able to talk to the agencies and ensure the best use is made of goods already received.’

[mav Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close mav]

Re: Victorian bush fires

Maybe some of our fine members can start to organise something similar from their towns and maybe there are members like D4D who can provide collection points in their areas for survivors to get these items from or a delivery point for the items to be shipped to.

My wife and I cleaned out or wardrobes etc. last night and we have a huge bag of clothes ready to go. The situation is we've been told not to take items to the local refuge centres as they currently don't have the logistics to distribute the items.

http://nillumbik.vic.gov.au/page/page.asp?page_Id=2013

Nillumbik Chief Executive Officer, Bill Forrest, thanks the generous spirit of the residents in our community for their immediate donations to relief centres in the Shire, but asks them to stop as halls are filled to capacity and volunteers are using time to sort through mountains of donations.

‘We would like people to hold off any donations until the major relief agencies can organise a coordinated system of collection and distribution. This will not happen immediately. As soon as we’ve got systems in place to cope with the very generous offers from the community we will let the major media outlets know how people can help.

‘We need to be able to talk to the agencies and ensure the best use is made of goods already received.’

Thank you D4D for the information, I have passed this on to the organisers here so that they can contact the people concerned down there and see what they want us to do with the gear that has been collected. I think it will be a case of storing it till it is needed.

Cheers

Mav

[pradogang Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pradogang]

Re: Victorian bush fires

A sad time for our fellow Australians, let's put our hands in our pockets and help out. I'm off to the NAB this morning to do my bit.

[Golly Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Golly]

Re: Victorian bush fires

BHP Billiton committed A$500,000 to the Victorian Bushfire Relief Appeal. They are also matching our donations we give to the relief. I am very happy they are doing this... impressed considering the fiasco with Ravo recently.

Keep it coming guys, spread the word.

[Jeepster Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jeepster]

Re: Victorian bush fires

I'm not an Australian... yet. I'm from South Africa and here on a business visa, hoping to get permanent residency soon. My heart goes out to these people affected by the fire. My wife and I sat in front of the TV yesterday, quite shell-shocked at the extent of the damage. We had to fight back the tears, especially when seeing footage of kids in shock after what they have been through. I just want to say that these people are in our thoughts and prayers, and we will definitely make a donation, however small, if each member gives a few dollars, it will quickly multiply...

I also agree with some of the sentiments on here, spend the money earmarked for foreign aid here at home where your own people need it, rather than sending it into Africa where some or other corrupt politician will get his grimy hands on it and use it to stay in power and further enrich himself, instead of feeding the hungry masses.

[Lindsay & Linda Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Lindsay & Linda]

Re: Victorian bush fires

Please also remember that there are and will be many people that require medical treatment as result of the fires, I would like to urge all PP's that are able to to donate blood at their local blood bank. It will cost you nothing but may help to save many lives.

Lindsay

[mav Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close mav]

Re: Victorian bush fires

I am not a person who is easily upset but hearing a lady on one interview decribe how she watched a father running carrying his young daughter in his arms whilst both were on fire certainly got to me. HUg your kids. :cry: :cry:

[jarrah7rally Member Find all posts View Profile Close jarrah7rally]

Re: Victorian bush fires

To all PP members.

Thinking of you all, take care and be safe, houses (dare I say it) vehicles can be rebuilt or replaced. a human life can't be.

Never mentioned it before (no need) I've had 10 years as SES (since retired) and dealt with bushfires in the Mundaring Shire (east of Perth WA). I've witnessed houses burnt or destroyed, fence & stock losses nothing I have witnessed will ever be enough to comprehend what you guys have been through.

One thing I learnt and still rememeber about fire is you can predict its unpredicatbility. What was safe one moment but running is heading straught towards you

I hope we all can learn from this tragic event to remind ourselves of what could go wrong when we are out in the bush enjoying ourselfs.

Once again take care & be safe

Regards

Dean

[Daz Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Daz]

Re: Victorian bush fires

I havent read this thread fully yet, but I think I know how it goes.

Having worked for CALM here in WA in the SW, I thought I had seen it all until I saw todays news coverage. Phew, unbelievable. I really hope the weather is kind to you all from now on.

Guys, I have seen various appeals going which is great, and my employer donated $50k today as well, but right now there will be extreme pressure on blood supplies.
Your blood is needed. Even though our states will send spare stocks over to Vic, it will need topping up asap, and the demand will be high for a while.

Yes you will get asked a few private questions during an interview when registering, and the needle isnt nice, but the people in hospital will need constant blood transfusions while they recover.

http://www.giveblood.redcross.org.au/