How do we best pay condolences to Australia?

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Goonhilda

I'm in Australia, in the Goulburn Vally, about 70 km away from the Kilmore fires. It's blowing a gale and all you can see and smell is smoke.

The best thing everyone can do right now is donate money to the Red Cross and the Salvation Army, wherever you are. ABC Radio National (the emergency station) has been telling people that the charities need money more than anything, because they can exchange money for goods and services with businesses. If you're donating from overseas, money is the best option.

http://www.redcross.org.au/vic/services_emergencyservices_victorian-bushfires-appeal-2009.htm

If you're an Australian resident, you can donate blood. The Red Cross Blood Service will need more blood as they are trying to treat hundreds of burns victims.

Charities are not requesting donations of goods at this stage because they are way too busy trying to supply immediate care to victims. I have already donated 10 cent cakes of soap from a local factory. We had a drive at work and the woman collecting the blankets and pillows could barely get her hatchback shut. They apparently do need toys, though, because some families have lost everything, including the kids toys.

I think Kevin Rudd has had a big shock. Up until last week he thought the worst thing that could happen to him was the recession. It's a good thing the coalition blocked that stimulus plan, because we might need every cent of it to get Victoria and New South Wales back on their feet. We've got public transport in some areas at a standstill, because the railway sleepers are gone and the roads are blocked. We've got a major power line from NSW under threat from the Beechworth Fire which is now threatening Yackandandah and Porepunkah.

There are CFA volunteers that have been going for days on virtually no sleep to try and build containment lines. My brother is still out there. They've called the Army in for support. Dimboola Fire Brigade even lost a tanker (just the truck, no volunteers) on Saturday. And the casualties keep increasing. It is a nightmare. I am in a residential town area and I'm still checking the window for smoke plumes. Everyone is on tenterhooks. It is blowing a serious gale out there. Even a little grass fire on a day like today could destroy homes and kill people.

My family has been involved with the CFA all their lives. My father is a lifetime member. It is the worst he's ever seen it, and I'm glad he's 70, because if he was 60, he'd be out there fighting it.

Best wishes

fee

thank you guys its nice to hear people from outside of australia are willing to help too, my thoughts are going out to everyone in victoria with the fires (and SA, NSW, WA) and to north QLD with the severe floods.
For Victoria
If you want to pay condolences you can also go to
http://blogs.abc.net.au/victoria/2009/02/offer-your-cond.html
and donations can be made through the red cross
http://www.redcross.org.au/default.asp
Red cross are also helping/assisting QLD floods too.
the sites are experiencing high activity and take a little while sometimes.

lyn241276

Thank-you for your kind words

donations can be made at
www.salvos.org.au

Shell

Money donations are the best way to pay your respects. Words of kindness are well appreciated but many people have lost everything and so far the cost is estimated at more than $2 billion and rising. Even if you can only send a small amount, do not think that is useless, for every bit counts. Thank you for your support!
Online donations at: commbank.com.au

Irishprincess aka muffin+speedy

Well i going to be the first person to get the ball rolling. My thoughts are with those who are in australia who have lost their lives and my thoughts are with their families. The australian PM looks like such a nice bloke and things will get better for them soon.

minimouse68

Thank you for your kind words of support. You are right, there is a lot to respect about Mr Rudd. At the moment, with over 4000 people homeless as a result of the fires, money is what is desperately needed, along with every other essential of life. Many have lost everything. Thanks again, every kind and thoughtful word touches hearts that are broken and helps the healing along.

Tank Mk1

Australia our closest friend in war and peace we love you!

(from UK)

suncatcher

On channel nine T V breakfast show TODAY , Karl said you can log on to msn. which is there web site and go on to a section called bushfire ( something ) i forgot but it should be easy to find once you have logged on to it, on there will be all the latest news and will tell you what to do to help

kllr.queen

THIS INFORMATION IS FOR AUSTRALIANS
I have no idea how accurate it is on an international scale. They have been collected from news agencies, and I hope none of them are scams, but you never know......

People wanting to help victims have been asked to give money rather than goods.
Donations can be made by calling 13 72 58 or via the Salvation Army website www.salvos.org.au

Myer Bushfire Appeal * All proceeds to the Salvation Army. Donate at any Victorian Myer store.

If you are a business and want to make a financial donation or engage staff in the Victorian Bushfire Appeal 2009, you can email businesspartnerships@redcross.org.au or phone Daniel Murphy on 02 9290 8943, Luke Gracie on 03 9341 7520 or Nikki Williams on 03 9341 7518.

The Department of Human Services is coordinating donations of billeting/housing and accommodation. Please call the Department on 03 9096 0000 or 1300 650 172 within Victoria.

CFA bushfire hotline - 1800 240 667, http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au

State Emergency Service - 132 500

Australian Red Cross Blood Service - 13 14 95

Department of Human Services - 9096 0000 or 1300 650 172

http://www.redcross.org.au/vic/services_emergencyservices_victorian-bushfires-appeal-2009.htm

Coles will donate this Fridayâ€™s (13 Feb) profits from its 750 stores nationally to the Governmentâ€™s Bushfire Appeal Fund in partnership with the Red Cross

Still working on which hospitals will accept donations.

Apart from that, just letting your voice be heard will help. I have friends in the area and they all feel lost and alone. It is difficult for them to get information, and have to rely on third parties sometimes. If they know that the rest of the world mourns witrh them, and weeps for them, that will help.

Thank you

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