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Victorian Bushfire
Disaster
Information

Victorian Bushfires Government Assistance webpage to see how to claim government assistance, ex gratia funeral expense payments, eligibility and claim forms.

People trying to locate family and friends: 1800 727 077 (Red Cross).

Support

Department of Human Services: details of support services which offer personal, emotional, psychological and financial help to those affected: www.dhs.vic.gov.au/emergency/current-events/bushfire

Victorian Bushfire Bereavement Information & Support
Links to grief and bereavement organisations providing assistance, public and practitioner resources, and support materials.

Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement (ACGB) are recording details on availability and expertise of bereavement practitioners who have expressed a willingness to provide assistance. You can register your interest at counselling@grief.org.au Please provide a phone number so ACGB staff can contact you.

Life line (24 hour): 13 11 14, www.lifeline.org.au/find_help/24_hour_counselling_service

Kids Help line (24 hour, free call): 1800 551 800, www.kidshelp.com.au/home_KHL.aspx?s=6

NURSE-ON-CALL: a telephone health line, providing Victorians with immediate, expert health information and advice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 1300 60 60 24 www.health.vic.gov.au/nurseoncall/

Beyondblue: Beyondblue info line 1300 22 4636, www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?

Men's Line Australia (24 hour): 1300 78 99 78 www.menslineaus.org.au/

Suicide Helpline Victoria (24 hour): 1300 651 251, www.suicideline.org.au/

Parentline: (8am-midnight weekdays,10am-10pm weekends) 132 289, www.education.vic.gov.au/earlychildhood/parentline/

Bereavement Counselling and Support Service: Provides information and referral assistance to members of the general public who need information on bereavement services available in Victoria, 1300 664 786, www.grief.org.au/couns.html

The Compassionate Friends: 24hr grief support line for bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents, 03 9888 4944, 1800 641 091 (Country Victoria and Tasmania Only) www.compassionatefriendsvictoria.org.au/default.htm

GriefLine: GriefLine's Anonymous Telephone Counselling Service provides caring and compassionate listening in times of sadness and distress. You can call GriefLine on (03) 9596 7799 between 12.00 noon and 3.00 a.m: griefline.org.au/

National Association for Loss & Grief (VIC): Statewide Telephone and Referral Service which operates during the hours of 9.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday, 03 9650 3000, 1800 100 023 (freecall country Vic), www.nalagvic.org.au/fh-wheretofindhelp.htm

WIRE - Women's Information: provides free information, support and referrals to women across Victoria, 1300 134 130 (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday), www.wire.org.au/

DHS Support

The Department of Human Services has a number of resources that can help in providing assistance to those affected by the bushfires, whether staff or clients. Department of Human Services: details of support services which offer personal, emotional, psychological and financial help to those affected: www.dhs.vic.gov.au/emergency/current-events/bushfire

Department of Education and Early Childhood Development: for a list of government schools affected by bushfires that will be closed today. www.education.vic.gov.au/

Early Childhood Services have also been affected by the fires. Parents with queries should contact their service directly or their local council. Queries can also be directed to the Early Childhood Information Line on 1300 731 947. www.education.vic.gov.au/

Country Fire Authority (CFA). For notices of current incidents, updates and advice visit the CFA Incident Updates and Advice page: www.cfa.vic.gov.au/incidents/incident_updates.htm

Donations

Authorities are asking people to focus their donations on money as it is very difficult to manage the supply of food and household goods on the ground – in particular the sites where the bushfire has ravaged the local infrastructure.

Salvation Army Bushfire Relief Appeal: 13 SALVOS (137258) www.salvationarmy.org.au/donations

VicRelief Foodbank: vrandfb.com.au/

Cash donations: 1800 811 700 (Red Cross) or go to www.redcross.org.au

Clothes and household goods: Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul, Red Cross or Brotherhood of St Lawrence.

Notices

Contact the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667 for up to date information on total fire bans, fire restrictions and major fires.