Locals rally for bushfire relief

Major institutions and businesses within postcode 3006 provided tremendous support to those affected by the East Gipplsand bushfires last month.

The City of Melbourne opened a disaster relief centre at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) at South Wharf for people evacuated from Mallacoota.

The relief centre offered essential services including food and water, medical support, pet services and provided off-site emergency accommodation for evacuated residents.

The Department of Health and Human Services, Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, St John’s Ambulance, the Salvation Army, Red Cross and RSPCA were all on hand to assist evacuees.

“Our role is to provide support and relief to people and organisations impacted by this unprecedented bushfire crisis, which has taken a huge toll with lives lost and properties destroyed,” Lord Mayor Sally Capp said.

MCEC chief executive Peter King said: “We have all been shocked and saddened by the devastating bushfires that are affecting so much of our country. Like all Australians, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre has a desire to help in any way possible.”

“Our thoughts go out to those who have been affected by these catastrophic events.”

One source of major local support came in the form of Crown Resorts and the Packer Family Foundation, which provided $5 million to support the bushfire relief, as well as accommodation for those evacuating to MCEC’s relief centre.

“Australians are digging deep to support each other in these tough times, it’s truly inspiring. My family and Crown are eager to do more and the best way we can help, is to significantly increase our donation,” Packer Family Foundation founder James Packer said.

“We hope these funds play a small part in helping our firefighters, and easing the suffering of people who have lost their homes and the poor wildlife caught up in the blaze. We just want to do our bit.”

Vicinity Centres also supported evacuees by providing $25,000 in gift cards to victims for purchasing new clothes and supplies from stores within DFO South Wharf.

“We were proud to partner with the City of Melbourne and MCEC to support Victorians affected by the recent bushfire crisis,” DFO south Wharf’s centre manager Jess Harney said. “We have been heartened and humbled by the way our city, and the broader community, came together to help those in need during times of crisis.”

A number of local restaurants and businesses supported relief efforts in their own ways throughout the crisis, with the likes of La Camera Southgate donating $1 from every coffee sold in February •