Funds donated through Australian Red Cross are held in a separate trust account established by the Victorian Government. The management and distribution of all donated funds has been overseen by an Independent Advisory Panel chaired by the Hon. Pat McNamara, former Deputy Premier of Victoria. Former Victorian Bushfire Recovery and Reconstruction Authority head Christine Nixon, Australian Red Cross, currently represented by Andrew Coghlan, National Manager, Emergency Services, and Victorian Government representative Pam White also sit on the Panel.
Panel members offer their time on a voluntary basis and are not paid by the Fund. At all times the Panel has sought to ensure the Fund is distributed equitably and consistently while complying with the Commonwealth charitable law requirements. The VBAF is subject to several levels of accountability to ensure monies are paid and used appropriately. Independent auditors were appointed by Australian Red Cross to audit all donations received during the Appeal and transferred to the trust account.
Contact information
You can contact the Victorian Bushfire Appeal for more information.
Email: vicbushfireappealfund@dhhs.vic.gov.au