Bank returns more than $1 million to help local Black Saturday bushfire victims

30/12/2009

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank’s philanthropic arm, Community Enterprise Foundation™, has donated more than $1 million to Black Saturday bushfire victims in Central Victoria.

The bank’s Executive, Customer and Community, Russell Jenkins, said the initial community response to those affected by the bushfires was outstanding and has played a huge role in the rebuilding and recovery process.

“When we launched the Bushfire Appeal the day after the fires started, we never anticipated the overwhelming response from ordinary Australians who were keen to do whatever they could to help,” he said.

“Since February, the bank has received more than $8.5 million dollars in donations from about 35,000 donors.

“This money has been distributed to communities right across the state including hardest hit areas like Kinglake, Marysville, the Yarra Valley and Gippsland.

“For bushfire affected people living in Central Victoria this money has been used to rebuild infrastructure, initiate health programs and ensure the Country Fire Authority is well-equipped to fight fires.”

More than $1 million has gone towards supporting the following community programs and infrastructure projects;

	Bendigo Community Health Services	Counselling and pamper packages
	Loddon Mallee Housing Services	Emergency housing for fire victims
	Future Employment Opportunities	Bushfire clean-up
	Wildlife Rescue Emergency Services	Animal Aid
	YMCA	Bendigo Says Thanks concert
	Bendigo Uniting Care Outreach	“Our Place”
	Country Fire Authority	Sedgwick CFA 2009/10 Fire-Season Preparation Plan
	Country Fire Authority	Growing Fire Brigade infrastructure in Maiden Gully
	Country Fire Authority	Contribution towards new tanker for Axedale
	Conservation Volunteers Australia	Bushfire Environmental Recovery Program (fencing in Redesdale)
	Mensheds Australia	Long Gully Multipurpose Facility/Mensheds
	New Horizons Welfare Services	Essential infrastructure replacement
	Conservation Volunteers Australia	Long Gully Community Garden
	Conservation Volunteers Australia	Rehabilitation and Revegetation Project
	Bendigo Community Health Services	Bushfire Health and Wellbeing Program for Children
	Bendigo Community Health Services	Bushfire Health and Wellbeing Program for Adults

Funds will continue to be distributed in 2010.

For archived media announcements see our Media Centre.