$10,400,000 Raised!
The Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund’s 2020 Gippsland Bushfire Appeal closed on 20 March 2020, bringing to an end the fund’s biggest fundraising effort to date.
Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund (GERF) president John Mitchell made the announcement today about the bushfire appeal closure, which ends a two and a half month campaign.
“The 2020 GERF appeal has received outstanding support within the region, all states and indeed from many countries from around the globe.
“We’d like to sincerely thank all of the businesses, ethnic and community groups, organisations, families and individuals who have so generously given their time, money and extraordinary support to help our East Gippsland communities in their time of need.
“This is by far the biggest response we’ve ever seen to a GERF appeal,” Mr Mitchell said.
Mr Mitchell said the decision to end the appeal was based on confirmation that most of the property impact assessments had now been completed by the East Gippsland Shire Council.
“This means that GERF can now proceed to disburse the remaining funds,” Mr Mitchell said.
GERF has also allocated at least $1 million for fencing and fodder assistance to impacted farmers in East Gippsland.
Discussions are currently underway with Bushfire Recovery Victoria and relevant government agencies, East Gippsland Shire Council, BlazeAid and Victorian Farmers Federation to ensure a coordinated assistance program is developed and agreed.
Mr Mitchell said about $9 million of the $10.4 million raised had already been distributed to more than 2,060 families or residents in East Gippsland.
“Of the $10.4 million raised, $2.5 million was received and distributed on behalf of the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund and the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Community Enterprise Foundation.
Mr Mitchell said this partnering arrangement with the Victoria Bushfire Appeal entity was welcomed by the GERF executive and this has enabled the Victorian Bushire Appeal Funds to be quickly distributed and it, of course, avoided duplication of effort.
Mr Mitchell said the donation distribution process would continue during the coming weeks.
“We’re confident that all affected residents who have been referred for GERF support and met the criteria have received emergency financial assistance.
“The outstanding appeal response has meant that GERF has been able to make supplementary payments – to those most severely impacted. For example, for all principal places of residence totally lost in the fires, a payment of $17,500 has now been paid.”
Helping
Gippsland
since 1978.
