USEFUL contact details for farmers whose property has been damaged by the Victorian bushfires .
Find friends and family
Ring the Red Cross on 1800 727 077 if you are unable to contact someone in the affected areas.
Disaster Relief Fund
The Victorian Farmers Federation is calling for donations towards its Disaster Relief Fund, which is directly supporting farmers affected by Victoria’s devastating bushfires. To donate visit www.vff.org.au or via phone on 1300 882 833
Insurance
Policy holders whose homes have been affected by the fires are being urged to lodge and insurance claim as soon as possible:
Elders - National Claims Department: 1300 554 184.
OAMPS Insurance Brokers Ltd - 1800 240 432 to be connected to your local branch.
Wesfarmers Federation Insurance - 1300 934 934
Lumley General (Australia) - Bushfire emergency claims hotline: 1800 245 049
CGU - 24-hour claims line: 1300 550 194
GIO - 13 14 46
AAMI - 13 22 44
Apia - 13 50 50
Just Car Insurance - 13 13 26
Shannons - 13 46 46
Insurance Council of Australia – insurancecouncil.com.au
Social, legal and financial assistance
Centrelink - 180 2211, http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/emergency/vic_bushfires.htm
From today, adults who've been injured and hospitalised, as well as those who've lost homes, can receive $1000, with an extra $400 per child.
Financial Ombudsman Service has established a hotline for all bushfire and flood victims seeking help and information or other financial issues experienced as a result of the disasters - 1800 337 444.
Housing & Accomodation - The Department of Human Services is coordinating donations of billeting/housing and accommodation. Please call the Department on (03) 9096 0000 or 1300 650 172.
The Law Institute of Victoria – Free ½ hour consultations for bushfire victims.
(03) 9607 9550
Financial Planning Association of Australia – fpa.an.au
Rural Financial Counseling Service (For rural business) – 1800 686 175
Financial & Consumer Rights Council – 9663 2000
Charities
Salvation Army - 137 258, www.salvationarmy.org.au
Brotherhood of St Lawrence - www.bsl.org.au
St Vincent de Paul - www.vinnies.org.au
Support and counselling
Lifeline Australia – 13 11 14 or Lifeline.org.au
Parentline – 1300 30 1300
Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800
Griefline – 9596 7799
Elders - Elders clients can contact the Elders Employee Assistance Program on 1300 360 364. This independent, confidential and free phone counselling support line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for Elders clients and their immediate family members.
Fodder and agistment
Victorian Farmers Federation – Phone: 1300 882 833, vff@vff.org.au, Fax: 03 9207 5500
Stock agistment is available at: Leongatha Saleyards - 0409 436 255, Pakenham Saleyards - (03) 5940 2121
The South Australian Farmers Federation (SAFF) has set up a donation register for anyone wanting to donate hay, grain, fencing material or labour. Please ring the SAFF offices on (08) 8410 7233 and register your donation.
Australian Livestock & Property Agents - any producers who have agistment available to help fire and flood victims, ALPA is compiling a list of available agistment that can be offered to these victims. If you have agistment available, please contact your preferred stock & station agent and let them know what you have available.
ALPA will also compile a list of those victims looking for agistment and we will put them in touch direct with your agent.
Victorian Department of Primary Industries is compiling a list of carriers who may be available to help cart the victims stock to agistment and feed. Agent members of ALPA will also take details of any feed donations producers may have and will pass this on to ALPA so we can organize to have it collected and delivered where it is most needed.
Please ring your agent or contact Andy Madigan CEO ALPA on (02) 9262 6633 for further details.
Horses, alpacas and small animals
Albury Wodonga Equestrian Centre is offering emergency refuge (Free agistment for 1 week) for horses evacuated from the North East Fires. Corner Corry’s Road and Roberts Road, Thurgoona. Contact John Dowell (0407 263 881) or Debbie Dowell (0427 263 881)
Horse Riding Club Association of Victoria has received many offers of assistance. Members affected by the fires should call the office on 9877 0330.
Equestrian Federation of Australia VIC Branch
EFA members affected by the bushfires who require assistance should contact EFA on 0400 917 037
Triple R Equine Welfare Crisis Network
For crisis horse agistment contact the Triple R Equine Welfare Crisis Network
The University of Melbourne
The Vet Science Faculty at Melbourne University is offering assistance to animals. For dogs and cats call (03) 9731 2232. For horses (03 9731 2268.
Project Hope Horse Welfare Victoria has a lost and found registry for horses misplaced during the bushfires. It can be accessed via the PHHWV website. If you have feed and or hay to donate please contact PHHWV directly to arrange delivery. Horse owners who require more advice, assistance, or donated goods can call PHHWV 1300 881 606 or visit phhwv.org.au
Australian Alpaca Association is aware of breeders in the areas affected by fire and who may be in need of assistance for themselves and their animals.
Alpaca owners requiring help are urged contact any of the following:
Richard Bowden: (03) 5961 5785 Email: rjbowde@bigpond.net.au
Rochelle Veitch: (03) 5989 6490 (Eve) Email: nocturnefarm@gmail.com
Russell Holmes: (03) 5423 4237 Email: jigaru@alpaca.com.au
AAA Ltd Office: (03) 9873 7700 (office hours) Email: alpaca@alpaca.asn.au
Animal Aid in Coldstream have staff in the Kinglake area to pick up and check on animals - contact Eddie on (03) 9739 0300.
Lort Smith Animal Hospital
Free Medical treatment to pets affected by bushfires is available Lort Smith Animal Hospital in North Melbourne, 24 Villiers St, please ring on 9328 3021 and at the Lort Smith Plenty Valley 9407 2030