While many donations were made direct, The Eastern Riverina Chronicle has noted more than $33,000 was raised in the drought affected communities of Holbrook, Henty, Lockhart, Culcairn, Lockhart, Walla Walla and Jindera.

Fellow Australians have not stood by without extending a helping hand. They were shocked by the ferocity of the fires, the loss of life, and the despairing sight of towns and villages burnt to the ground.

“It was with immense sadness that I placed on record our deepest sympathy to the victims and their families that have been devastated by the Victorian Bush Fires on February 7 and 8,”as she has finished speaking there Greater Hume Shire Mayor Denise Osborne said in a mayoral minute at the February meeting.

“Given that this region has been in severe drought for several years it shows the compassion of people to help others in times of dire need despite their own personal circumstances,” the co-ordinator of Culcairn’s community event Adele Kennedy said.

The Culcairn community came out in force Friday week ago to raise close to $5,000 for the survivors of the Victorian Bushfires. A total of $10,868 was received by Culcairn Red Cross for the appeal.

The family fun night idea was hatched by staff from Culcairn Community Health with excellent support being provided Red Cross, Culcairn Sporting Clubs, The Lions Club, Bowens Entertainment, Billabong High School Student Representative Council, local media and Greater Hume Shire Council, Ms Kennedy said.

Henty Red Cross collected $5,900, the Rotary Club of Henty $2,521 and Riverlife Church $430.

At Lockhart, the Red Cross street collection brought in $2,600, Lockhart Primary School $580, St Josephs $437 and the Boree Creek Patchwork group donated seven quilted double sided bed covers.

Over four hours one Saturday morning at Holbrook, the local Red Cross branch collected $3,900. Collections at Holbrook Public School, St Patrick’s and the Rotary Club of Holbrook will add to this total.

The township of Jindera raised $3,081 at a community event. “It has been a great demonstration of a caring community coming together to raise money for others in need,” Cr Osborne said.

Much needed fodder and hay has been donated and transported from Henty, Cookardinia, Holbrook, The Rock and Lockhart districts and a team organised by Peter Campbell travelled from Henty to build fences on Kiewa Valley properties last week.

President of the Hume Football League Merv Wegener responded with a cheque of $2,000 to the Red Cross Appeal at the Walla Walla Post Office.