THOUSANDS stuck on a beach as fires blaze through the town. Dozens of homes lost. Hundreds of thousands hectares burnt.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It's a crisis on a scale not seen for years in Victoria. In NSW at least three lives have been lost, and hundreds of homes.
Read more: Victoria grapples with bushfire cost
Here's how you can help.
Bushfire Disaster Appeal
To help bushfire affected communities central Victorians can donate to the Bushfire Disaster Appeal.
Funds will be used in a range of locally identified charity areas to provide relief and recovery to fire affected areas.
The appeal is designed to work directly with local recovery groups to guide distribution of funds.
Donations can be made online or at any Bendigo Bank Branch.
Advice from VicEmergency
VicEmergency has told people the best way to help to consider donating money to a registered, not-for-profit organisation.
"Experience tells us that donation of money is much more effective and provides more flexibility than the donation of material items or pre-loved goods," VicEmergency information states.
"At this stage, we do not need donations of furniture or any other hard goods and we are unable to store or sort them. Please hold onto your donations until those affected know what they need.
"Emergency management personnel are busy working with local councils in the affected areas to assess the needs of their communities."
In Bendigo
Bendigo woman Alicia Campbell is trying to help those in the fire ravaged Mallacoota.
Ms Campbell has asked any local businesses that can help fire survivors with accommodation to get in touch.
Ms Campbell has asked Bendigo residents to donate to the Mallacoota Fundraising Group GoFundMe page.
Australia-wide
The Red Cross
The Australian Red Cross is supporting thousands in evacuation centres across Victoria and NSW.
It's Register.Find.Reunite service allows people to let family and friends know they are safe.
To help the Red Cross support disaster recovery, visit the its website.
The Salvation Army
Emergency teams from the salvation army are responding to bushfires around Australia.
The Salvation Army provides financial, material, mental health and housing support to communities.
In Victoria the Salvation Army has centres in Omeo, Orbost, Lakes Entrance, Bairnsdale, Sale and Delegate.
The organisation has launched a disaster relief fund in light of the crisis.
Details about how to donate directly to the CFA can be found on its website.
Are you helping out?
If you're a central Victorian raising funds, organising relief, or helping out with the bushfire crisis in any way, let us know.
Contact: elspeth.kernebone@bendigoadvertiser.com.au.
This article has been updated to reflect the fact that VicEmergency has asked people wanting to help to donate money, rather than hard goods.
The Bendigo Advertiser applauds those in Bendigo wanting to help fire victims by collecting good, but has updated the article to reflect VicEmergency advice.
With AAP.
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.