Otway Bushfire Relief

01/03/2026

🔥 WHAT A WEEKEND THIS WILL BE 🔥

An amazing weekend of live music at the Gellibrand River Hotel! 🎶

We’ve got a full lineup of incredible local bands, The Axemen wood chopping demonstration, and a massive fundraiser auction packed with random and amazing prizes generously donated by local businesses.

Come down, bring your mates, have a drink, enjoy the music and support our local CFA brigades ❤️🍻

Let’s make it a big one!

01/03/2026

Great weekend coming up

12/02/2026

Sometimes the hardest part is knowing what to ask.

If you’re checking in on friends or neighbours who’ve been impacted by fire, these simple questions can help open the door to support.

Let them know they can reach out to us for assistance with information and grant applications.

12/02/2026

Please give water to wildlife 💧

If you've been able to return home, please put out clean water for wildlife. Many animals have lost their usual water sources and are moving through burnt and unburnt areas looking for help.

Even a bowl would make a huge difference.

***We will be making some pvc water stations for land owners to put throughout their properties - please get in touch if you would like one, or checkout the video below to make your own if you're handy.

https://youtu.be/AvoFcdzyhFo?si=2UgWjZonxSLwsBZO

12/02/2026

🔵 POST FIRE SCRAP METAL CLEANUP

If you’ve got burnt cars, sheds, fencing or scrap metal sitting around — give Charlie Voutier a call. He’ll collect it and pay you. (No gas bottles.)

📞 0437 375 043

Huge thank you to Chantal Cox for doing all the hard work ringing around and tracking down this service for the community 🙌 Absolute legend.

Please share so it reaches the people who need it.

12/02/2026

Lost farm assets during the fires?

You may be eligible for a Primary Producer Recovery Grant — up to $75,000.

✔ It’s NOT a loan
✔ It’s a grant
✔ Can help with tanks, sheds, machinery, fencing and cost of clean-up

If you're in a declared disaster area and suffered direct damage, it's worth checking your eligibility.

📞 Apply through Rural Finance
💬 Need help applying or getting your documents together? Contact us — we’re happy to assist.

Please share so no one misses out.

12/02/2026

🚜 Containment line cut through your property?

If CFA or Forest Fire authorities cut lines through your land during the bushfires, the State Government is generally responsible for rehabilitation.

You should not be left covering the cost of reinstatement.

📞 Report damage & request assessment: 1800 226 226

Local Recovery Coordinators can assist with fencing, erosion control and environmental remediation.

Please share so landholders know their options.

12/02/2026

⚡ Power out during the fires?

If your home was without electricity for 7+ days during the January bushfires, you could be eligible for up to $2,380 per week through the Prolonged Power Outage Payment (PPOP).

📞 Call 13 22 06 if you haven’t been contacted
⏳ Apply before 31 March 2026

Please share — many people still don’t know this is available.

11/02/2026

BlazeAid is coming into the area 🔥🔥🔥💪

BlazeAid is an independent, volunteer-run non-profit recovery organisation, acknowledged in government-linked recovery resources as part of the support ecosystem for bushfire-affected people.

Get your application in now — don’t miss out!

Register here: https://blazeaid.com.au/registering-for-help

If you need fencing assistance — don’t wait.
✔️ Submit your application
✔️ Get on the list

Let’s get those kilometres of fencing rebuilt!

CALL FOR INFORMATION – FARM FENCING SUPPORT AFTER THE FIRES

Have you lost farm fencing due to the fires?

We are gathering information from anyone in the community who has had boundary or internal fencing damaged or destroyed, particularly where insurance is limited or unavailable.

If you or a neighbour have lost fencing — including:

boundary fences

stock fencing

fences damaged by fire or fire response activity

please let us know.

This information will help us:

understand the scale of fencing loss

connect affected landholders with available assistance

coordinate volunteer and agency support

👉 We are coordinating with BlazeAid to help rebuild fences. Their volunteer teams are highly experienced in post-fire recovery and can assist with labour and rebuilding, particularly where fencing is urgent for safety or stock containment.

If you have lost fencing, please either contact us to let us know, or complete the fencing assistance form on BlazeAid’s website so support can be organised: https://blazeaid.com.au/registering-for-help

If you know someone who needs help, please pass this on or message the page.

11/02/2026

Gellibrand, Carlisle river, Kawarren Lavers hill and Beech Forest fire effected people Please come to the Gelli Hall Wednesday Thursday for your relief payments and top up for your groceries. Have a cuppa and a chat