• To check on family and friends in the area call the Red Cross on 1800 727 077.
• For personal, emotional and financial support visit the Department of Human Services website or call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667.
• Baw Baw Shire residents can call 1300 859 446 for recovery information.
• A relief centre has been established in the Bunyip Public Hall in Main Street to offer support services to people directly affected by the fires. The centre is staffed by personnel from the council, DHS, Centrelink and the CWA. Contact 0458 413 572. Relief centres at the Cardinia Cultural Centre and Warragul Leisure Centre are now closed.
• A recovery centre that includes Centrelink and counselling services is operating from Fountain Room, Civic Place, Warragul
• For information on road closures, visit www.vicroads.vic.gov.au
• Cardinia/Casey Community Health Service is offering counselling support to residents who may need it and they will be given a priority appointment at either the Pakenham or Cockatoo sites. Phone 8768 5147.
• Cardinia Shire Council is assisting the Department of Primary Industries with livestock assessments and liaising with Baw Baw Shire about disposal of dead livestock. Contact the Cardinia Shire Council on 1300 787 624 or DPI on 136 186.
• The Victorian Taxi Association executive council will give the following assistance for people in fire affected areas. For the next two weeks it will pay taxi fares for people in the area for travel to and from their property to the nearest major town (including school trips) if they have lost their house or their house has been severely damaged, lost immediate family or have immediate family member hospitalised or lost their only family vehicle. In addition to transporting these people, the VTA will pay the fare for the delivery by taxi of essential goods to these people such as food, water, medication, bedding and other items to sustain.
• The Victorian and Australian governments have announced they will provide all possible assistance to help people recover from bushfires. They are providing immediate help for people affected by bushfires with cash grants of $1000 and medium-term grants of up to $22,000.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:How you can help
• The Bayles CFA is looking for people who can spend a day helping rebuild fences or lend their truck, tools or a spare paddock to those in need. Captain Karleen Elledge said no experience was necessary to lend a hand building fences.
She also asked for donations of hay, feed and fencing equipment, which could be taken to the Bayles CFA station on or before Saturday or to Blackwood Rural Supplies, also in Bayles. The Bayles CFA also wants to borrow trucks or trailers to help distribute donations.
Contact Capt. Carlene Elledge on 0402 124 095 to register interest in helping or if you can temporarily spare a paddock for any cattle or horses.
• The Red Cross will set up a community booth outside Coles, Pakenham Plaza, from 10am to 6pm tomorrow (Thursday) to take money donations for those affected by the Bunyip State Park fires. The booth will also be open on Saturday and Sunday in the plaza from 9am to 5pm. Clothing and goods donations are not being sought at this stage.
• Contributions to the relief effort can also be made via the Red Cross at www.redcross.org .au or by calling 1800 811 700.
• Blood donations are also being sought and the Red Cross blood bank is operating at the Cardinia Cultural Centre in Lakeside Drive, Pakenham, from 1.30pm to 7pm today (Wednesday) and tomorrow. Bookings must be made by phoning Red Cross on 13 14 95.
