Bacwiki News Archive

Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission Final Report

The 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission final report has been released in full. You can read a full printed copy at the Hurstbridge Hub, Strathewen Community Centre, St Andrews CFA station and Christmas Hills CFA station. Or you can download your own copy here.


VIBRA - 15 Month Report and News Update

The 15 moth report from VIBRA showing the reconstruction and recovery process in bushfire affected communities can now be downloaded here and the news update from July can be viewed here


Bushfire Recovery

The Bushfire Recovery Community Bulletin for August is now available. View it here.


Free Concert - Thank you to the people of Melbourne and Victoria

Music, story-telling and visual images by artists at Federation Square. Be part of saying Thank You to the people of Melbourne and Victoria. Details here.


St Andrews Community Morning Tea

Thursday 11 March - details here.


Kinglake Bushfire Anniversary Events

Details of the Kinglake local Bushfire Anniversary Events can be found here


Marysville Arts Co

Some beautiful pictures of Marysville available for purchase from the Marysville Arts Co here at their website (click Gallery to see images).


Strathewen: Sticking Together

Australian Red Cross article here


Artist's touch restores faith of Kinglake flock

The Age online article here


Salvation Army Vouchers

The Salvation Army has vouchers to be given to bush fire affected clients to help as part of our Christmas Cheer programme. The allocation is vouchers from K Mart, IGA and Mitre 10 to the value of:

- each adult $250
- each child under 16 $200 They also have serveral vouchers from Kinglake stores still available.

Please contact your case manager, The Hurstbridge Hub or Hurstbridge Bushfire Support Centre for details and times they will be available. If you would prefer to see the Salvation Army at their office in Greensborough, please call Elizabeth or Stephen 9434 6990. They will need to see your VBRRA Referral card.


Nillumbik News

Click here for pdf version.


Rural Women's Network - Spring Newsletter 2009

Beyond The Bushfires


Sharing Experiences of Black Saturday

Share your experiences and photos of Black Saturday on Wikinorthia.
Read stories already on line at: http://wikinorthia.net.au/index.php/Category:Disasters


Practically Green Festival

Attend the Practically Green Festival at Edendale Farm this Sunday 25 Oct. Brochure here


Gulf Station

Victoria's oldest farm complex shows their recovery from the bushfires here.


Federal Government Media Release

Benefits for Bushfire Communities amongst Solar Water Adjustments press release here


Wildhaven Before and After

See the moving images of Wildhaven before and after the Budhfires here.


Sam the Koala to be preserved like Phar Lap at Melbourne Museum

See full article here.


Lyrebirds Return To Kinglake National Park

See full article here.


Video - How To Design and Build In Bushfire Zones

Look Home has a video called "Safe design" (Episode 3 - look under the Previous Episodes link) where Suzy Yates interviews Archicentre Managing Director Robert Caulfield and fire consultant Paul England to find out how to design and build in bushfire zones.


Construction of Buildings in Bushfire-prone areas

New title released by Standards Australia has been added to the Yarra Plenty Regional Library catalogue. Diamond Valley and Eltham libraries both have a copy in their reference collection available at all times to be viewed within the library, as well as a copy available for loan.


Wikinorthia featured in Whittlesea Review

Article attached courtesy of the Whittlesea Review. Yarra Plenty Regional Library has set up a special area where people can record and upload their stories and photographs on the Wikinorthia website. See full article here


Beanie felting and knitting workshops

Threads of Friendship Exhibition and workshops at Diamond Valley and Eltham libraries. More information here


Pride - Winter Warmer Packs

Pride (People Responding In Disasters & Emergencies) are providing Winter Warmer Packs to bushfire victims which include comfort items such as market bags, cook books, a sewing kit, a wheat pack, scarf, beanie, sample tea and soap.

PO Box 587, Diamond Creek Vic 3089
Phone 0488 580 745
Web www.pride.org.au
Email moc.liamg|2070edirp#moc.liamg|2070edirp


Beyond Pink and Blue - Rainbow Comfort Packs

Monica Creedon has co-ordinated the Rainbow Comfort Packs since February this year, strictly for the children who have been affected by the bushfires. The packs are handmade bags with age-appropriate activities and comfort toys inside, sometimes clothing too. All are handmade or new and have been donated by the community near and far (including overseas).

Email: moc.eulbdnaknipdnoyeb|acinom#moc.eulbdnaknipdnoyeb|acinom
Phone: 0420 856 999
Shop: [*www.beyondpinkandblue.com www.beyondpinkandblue.com]
Everything: http://unhub.com/beyondpinkandblue


A Comforting Cup Of Tea

Many families and individuals lost all their possessions in the disastrous and tragic Victorian bushfires. Sallyanne Craig wanted to provide a little piece of comfort so her 'A Comforting Cup Of Tea' project was born – co-ordinating the donation of special tea cups to bushfire victims. See the video from the ABCs Collectors program here.


Snow a bittersweet gift to raized towns

See the full article courtest of the Australian and news.com.au


Victoria Black Saturday survivor Rod Liesfield begs for help

See the full article courtesy of the Herald Sun and news.com.au


Arts Project Assisting Bushfire Affected Communities

Arts Victoria - Creative Approaches to Bushfire Recovery


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Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission Public Hearings

Head to the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission website to access the live streamings and other information.


Bushfire Recovery Stories

Victorian Government site with information relating to the Bushfires including local community sites and community voices.
Have Your Say


Flowerdale Blog

View the Flowerdale - Survivor Spirit blog here for updates and progress around Flowerdale.


Black Saturday : Stories of love, loss and courage from the Victorian bushfires

Black Saturday is a new book released by HarperCollins, it "is the personal story of Black Saturday told by those that survived the flames and those who came to their help. It also contains accounts from journalists who covered the fires as well as first−hand tales from those who helped co−ordinate the emergency response".


Returning to Marysville

ABC audio and video news footage of the return to Marysville here.


Diamond Creek Relief Centre following Black Saturday

See photos and email account of the Diamond Creek Relief Centre after the bushfire events at Wikinorthia.


Authorities to reopen homes in Kinglake bushfire zone

Matthew Schulz, Herald Sun 16 March 2009

The State Coroner has lifted the special police powers restrict access, which were imposed to allow investigators to search for human remains in burnt-out properties.

Removing rubble and other items by residents will depend on safety declarations by local council authorities.

Mr Walshe said removing the restrictions did not mean the area was safe.

He said council surveyors would inspect each property for safety issues, before people could retrieve belongings.

“Once the property has been declared safe, owners will be able to return and retrieve any items remaining they wish to take before the site is cleared,” he said.

Kinglake residents returned to their homes over the weekend, giving them extra time before the area is open to the public.

Mr Walshe expected roads would be busy when blocks were lifted but dismissed concerns about fears of ongoing looting.

"My understanding is some (residents) have yet to come back and they probably will be dealing with emotional issues that (haven't) allowed them to come back up here,'' he said.

"We believe that the police presence up here has been quite successful. We have no evidence of any looting or any theft from any properties up here at all.''

Marysville residents are expected to be allowed to return to their homes later this week.

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