Club Terrace and Cann River area bush fire fund

Hi my name is Rob Richards and I recently purchased  a property just west of Club Terrace because I know just how special these social and natural communities are in this part of Victoria. Unfortunately our 300 acre property has been all burnt ......with exception of the house and garden. My plan was to develop a nature based well-being retreat to assist people struggling with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.....these plans will have to be put on hold now as the country recovers. 

Communities (social and ecosystems) living within the once beautiful picturesque cool and damp forests along the Bemm and Cann Rivers are hurting mentally and physically. On New Years Eve half of the houses in the small community of Club Terrace were destroyed as the fire front passed through. Similarly other communities around Cann River have been heavily impacted. While it is not possible to describe the trauma that these communities have experienced, we can help now. We can make a big difference to the recovery of these communities - the people, animals and wildlife. In speaking with locals their immediate needs are basic - food, water, medical supplies, veterinary supplies, stock feed and fuel for generators to run fridges. The capacity of these communities to recover over the coming weeks and months will include the provision of mental health support, stock and wildlife recovery and re-building infrastructure so that these communities who care for the environment around them can continue to survive and thrive. 

Funds have and will be used to provide the local community with a) immediate food and stock and wildlife fodder relief (this has already been done as I was in the first convoy to reach Club Terrace only days after the fire went through) and short term necessities for individuals such as washing machine, fridge, fencing  and potentially for the community to purchase two generators to keep residents fridges operating during future events where power is lost. Another identified need is for training of local GPs in mental health crisis support (we have spoken to Life Line Australia already regarding this). 

Funds will be deposited into a bank account when the campaign closes with all items purchased to be receipted and full disclosure of all expenditure will be available to all donors.

No funds will be used to benefit or assist myself or for the direct recovery of my property. 

I thank-you on behalf of the local community.

Rob Richards