2019 Bushfires Appeals
We have all seen the disastrous fires that have erupted, taking lives as well as destroying hundreds of homes and properties across Australia.
Rotary Australia is once again taking the lead and looking to provide support for families in need. To this end several Rotary Districts and Clubs have established projects which are ready and able to accept donations from you.
The projects are:
| Queensland Bushfire Relief Appeal | |
| NSW Bushfire Farmers in Need Appeal | |
| Taree & Mid Coast NSW Bushfire Relief Appeal |
Australian Rotary Districts Drought Appeal
The highly successful Rotary Australia World Community Service Limited [RAWCS], Channel 9 and National Farmers’ Federation drought appeal closed on 30th September 2018 raising in excess of $10 million. These funds have been distributed direct to farmers and their families.
In October 2018, RAWCS initiated a drought appeal to continue this work and established the Australian Rotary Districts Drought Appeal.
The appeal covers nine Rotary District drought relief projects in the whole area impacted by this severe drought, west of the Great Dividing Range, from far North Queensland to Victoria and South Australia.
The appeal enables donations contributed after 30th September 2018 to continue to be distributed to these active RAWCS drought relief projects. Local Rotarians and Rotary Clubs understand which farming families are doing it tough, and this appeal ensures that this much needed support is received quickly.
DONATIONS
| Rotary Drought Appeal | 42-2018-19 | |||
| Rotary Drought Relief Distribution Projects: | District 9570 | Northern Queensland | 46-2013-14 | |
| District 9630 | Southern Queensland | 59-2013-14 | ||
| District 9650 | Northern NSW | 2-2018-19 | ||
| District 9650 | Western NSW | 18-2018-19 | ||
| District 9670 | Central NSW | 33-2018-19 | ||
| District 9700/9710 | Southern NSW | 38-2018-19 | ||
The Federal Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities
Drought Community Support Initiative (DCSI)
On 26 October 2018, the Australian Government announced it would provide $30 million in much-needed support to drought-affected families through the Drought Community Support Initiative. This will provide up to $3,000 in assistance to at least 10,000 households in 81 Local Government Areas eligible under the Drought Communities Programme Extension.
The funding is now available for farmers, farm workers and farm suppliers/contractors facing hardship due to drought. It can be used to spend in local communities or to cover urgent bills such as food, petrol and utilities. The $3,000 per household can consist of up to $2,000 in cash and $1,000 in vouchers.
Federal Regional Services Minister, Victorian Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie said a key element of the support was the provision of vouchers to be redeemed at local businesses.
Senator McKenzie said the three charities were chosen because they were already on the ground in drought regions and were best suited to deliver immediate relief, across all eligible Local Government Areas.
The Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul Society and Rotary Australia World Community Service have been engaged to deliver the assistance. Eligible households should reach out to these organisations directly to seek financial support (details below).
Rotary Australia World Community Service
Phone Contacts are listed below
Website: rawcs.org.au
ROTARY DROUGHT ASSISTANCE CONTACTS
| National | Belinda Griffen | General Inquiries | 02 8833 8317 |
| National | Mike Whitehouse | General Inquiries | 0448 710 882 |
| District 9550 | Lee Cox | Far North Queensland | 0405 172 028 |
| District 9570 | Ron Poulsen | Northern Queensland | 0427 157 499 |
| District 9570 | Dave Perkins | Northern Queensland | 0418 776 799 |
| District 9570 | Damien Arthur | Western Queensland | 0448 180 362 |
| District 9570 | Grant Goulivitch | Central Queensland | 0419 787 326 |
| District 9630 | Philip Charles | Southern Queensland | 0413 026 994 |
| District 9630 | Bryan Payne | Southern Queensland | 0427 379 909 |
| District 9650 | Reg Pierce | Northern and Western NSW | 0417 472 723 |
| District 9670 | Graeme Hooper | Central NSW | 0417 203 603 |
| District 9700/9710 | David Post | Southern NSW | 0408 221 696 |
| District 9700/9710 | Chris Finkel | Southern NSW | 0429 661 358 |
| District 9700/9710 | John Mercer | Southern NSW | 0474 792 217 |
| District 9800 | Grant Hocking | Victoria | 0429 802 722 |
Drought Assistance help available from Government and other organisations