Bendigo Bank and Salvation Army launch Queensland Bushfire Relief Appeal

Bendigo Bank has today launched a Queensland Bushfire Appeal in partnership with The Salvation Army to help those devastated by the recent Queensland bushfires. Donations can easily be made at any Bendigo Bank branch or online.

Bendigo Bank has a history of supporting natural disaster appeals, but this one has further significance for the Bank because of the impact on its own Community Bank^® communities with three Community Bank^® companies (operating six Community Bank^® branches) now directly affected by these fires.

State Manager Gavin Holden said the teamwork to get this appeal up and running epitomises the Community Bank^® spirit, not just in Queensland, but nationally.

“We have staff in our state and head offices working hard, along with The Salvation Army to set up this appeal to collect donations,” he said.

“Then we have people on the ground in our impacted communities – like Canungra & Districts Community Bank^® Chair Janine Rockliff, whose husband and his crew are working around the clock with other volunteer brigades fighting these fires.”

The appeal is run by the Bank’s charitable arm, Community Enterprise Foundation, and funds raised will be used in a range of locally identified charitable initiatives to provide relief and recovery in the fire affected regions.

Ms Rockliff said the financial burden on the bushfire affected families and farmers will be long-term, with thousands of hectares burnt out by the fires.

“We have drought ravaged farmers that this week have now experienced bushfires - and they are returning to their properties only to face fire damaged paddocks - some with absolutely no feed for their animals - and in the Beechmont area alone, we have displaced people who have lost their family home,” said Ms Rockliff.

Community Enterprise Foundation CEO, David Impey said: “The funds will be used to help rebuild stronger local communities by helping them respond to their immediate and future needs”.

How to donate now:
People wishing to support these communities are encouraged to provide monetary donations directly to the Queensland Bushfire Appeal Fund as monetary donations are quicker, more effective and logistically provide far more flexibility than donations of material items or pre-loved goods.

All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.

The Queensland Bushfire Appeal a management account of Community Enterprise Foundation™ ABN 69 694 230 518, The Bendigo Centre, PO Box 480, Bendigo, Vic 3552. The Foundation will make distributions by way of grants, following receipt of applications from organisations endorsed with an item 1 Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR).