Western Australia Summer Bushfire Appeal Launched

Bendigo Bank has launched the Western Australia Summer Bushfire Appeal in response to the devastating and ongoing bushfire emergency in the state.

The Appeal - conducted by Bendigo Bank’s charitable arm, Community Enterprise Foundation - will initially focus on raising funds to support communities currently affected by the fires across the Shires of Mundaring and Chittering and the Cities of Northam and Swan, as of 4 February 2021, but will be further extended if other communities are impacted.

Alexandra Gartmann, Bendigo Bank Corporate Affairs Executive, said the new Appeal provides all Australians with a formal avenue through which they can directly support and help adversely affected communities in Western Australia.

“The Bank’s Western Australia Summer Bushfire Appeal has been established to provide people with an easily accessible channel via which they can pledge financial support for all those communities who are in the midst of responding to the crisis, and will be commencing a longer-term recovery journey from its devastating impacts.

“Funds raised by this new appeal will be directed to practically help those impacted and to aid their recovery over the immediate, medium and long-term. The Bank stands ready to give a hand up to all those affected and to ensure the long-term success and prosperity of all these communities – in line with our commitment to all Australian communities for more than 160 years.

“As this disaster continues to unfold, our thoughts are with those communities and individuals already impacted by the blaze, those currently fighting its advance, all our staff situated in the affected region and the entire Western Australia community,” Ms Gartmann said.

Any bushfire affected Bendigo Bank customers should speak with their local Branch Manager or Business Banking Manager, contact the Bank’s Mortgage Help Centre on 1300 652 146 regarding financial hardship and applying for assistance, or visit the Bendigo Bank support centre.

Agribusiness customers are advised to speak with their Rural Bank Relationship Manager, contact the customer service team on 1300 660 115 or visit the Rural Bank support centre.

How to donate now:
People wishing to support these communities are encouraged to provide monetary donations directly to the Western Australia Summer Bushfire Appeal 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 WA Summer Bushfire Appeal is 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).

Support available:

• Up-to-date information on changing fire conditions can be found on the WA Emergency website
• Lifeline’s 24/7 telephone crisis support service is available on 13 11 14
• To apply for the Federal Government’s Disaster Recovery Allowance, call 180 22 66