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
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.
