Bushfire and drought crisis: five sustainable and ongoing ways to help

Posted on 1 February, 2020

In the midst of this summer’s bushfire crisis, Canberrans have shown their true colours—kindness, generosity, compassion—the values that make this city such an amazing place to live. 

Canberrans donated money, food, time, shelter and support to those affected—and those protecting them. Now Canberra is in the line of fire, quite literally.

Australians will feel the effects of this disaster for months, years, decades—even generations—and we know people are desperate to know how else we might help.

We also need to keep in mind that many of the rural areas that managed to avoid bushfires this summer are still crippled by the drought and in need of help.

Here are five ideas for how you can mindfully and meaningfully help those affected by the bushfire and drought crisis right through 2020 and beyond.

DONATE

Monetary donations will always be welcome for those who have lost everything—but there are more ways to donate.

Here are some of the ways you can help out, whatever your budget:

• GIVIT is a locally-run not-for-profit that links people with the donated goods they actually need. To see what’s needed right now, visit the website
• #SLABSFORHEROES is a Canberra-based physical donation point where you can donate items like sunscreen and toothbrushes to be trucked down to bushfire recovery centres on the NSW South Coast. See what’s needed via Facebook
• Got a vacant rental property? You could let it to displaced peoples via AirBnB’s Open Homes initiative: airbnb.com.au/openhomes/disaster-relief
• Books for the Bush is supplying schools in affected areas with vital supplies and books. You can donate money or stationery and supplies via the Facebook page.
• Donate goods or money to Good360, who match goods with people in need: good360.org
• Donate to The Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and recovery: redcross.org.au/campaigns/disaster-relief-and-recovery
• Donate to the Vinnies Bushfire appeal: donate.vinnies.org.au/appeals-nsw/vinnies-nsw-bushfire-appeal-nsw
• Donate to the Salvos Disaster relief: salvationarmy.org.au/donate
• Donate to the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS): rfs.nsw.gov.au/about-us/fundraising
• Donate to the Country Fire Association (Victorian fires): cfa.vic.gov.au/about/supporting-cfa#donate-cfa
• Donate to Celeste Barber‘s amazing $50 million dollar Facebook fundraiser for the RFS and other charities here
• Donate to the families of RFS firefighters Geoffrey Keaton and Andrew O’Dwyer, who were killed during the Green Wattle Creek fire, and Samuel McPaul, who was killed at the Green Valley fire ground here.
• Donate to WIRES Wildlife rescue: wires.org.au/donate/emergency-fund
• Donate to the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital: gofundme.com/f/help-thirsty-koalas-devastated-by-recent-fires
• Donate to the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) Bushfire appeal: donate.wwf.org.au
• Donate to the RSPCA NSW bushfire appeal: rspcansw.org.au/bushfire-appeal
• Canberra Pet Rescue’s Bushfire appeal: canberrapetrescue.org.au/bushfireappeal
• Donate to Foodbank Australia: foodbank.org.au
• Donate to Rural Aid: ruralaid.org.au/donate
• Buy local families in the Broulee area meals and coffee via The Mossy Cafe in Mossy Point here
• Donate to Buy A Bale: buyabale.com.au
• Donate to Drought Angels: droughtangels.org.au
• Donate to Lifeline: lifeline.org.au

SHOP

The Picnic Shed in Kangaroo Valley. Photo: Tim Bean Photography.

It’s no surprise that with the bushfire crisis came a huge downturn for regional and coastal small businesses.

Businesses that rely on summer income to get through the quieter winter months are now in jeopardy and one the best ways you can help keep affected communities stay vibrant is to contribute to their local economy—whether in person or online.

Here, Instagram is your best friend. A handful of accounts have made it easier than ever to put your money where your heart is and spend within affected regions.

• @spendwiththem: Shop beautiful things from bushfire affected communities from across Australia—from wine to soap to fashion.
• @emptyesky: Foodie heaven—consider it your hit-list of places to eat and drink during your next holiday, as well as where to order non-perishable products from in the meantime, like wine.
• @staywiththemau: Gorgeous places to stay across affected regions. Hello, road trip.
• @buyfromthebush: Highlighting beautiful goods from drought-affected areas.
• @lovethebaybb: Ways to donate and support the Bateman’s Bay region.

HOLIDAY HERE

While we flock to affected areas to bolster their small businesses we also shouldn’t forget that our own local tourism industry is feeling the pinch in the face of recent bushfires and lingering smoke haze.

That’s why VisitCanberra is launching a campaign to encourage locals to support Canberra businesses and explore sides of their city they’ve never come across before.

If you’re a regular reader of HerCanberra, you’ll know that we’re all about encouraging you to connect with your city, and there’s never been a better time. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of 100 ways you can #holidayhereCBR—you don’t have to leave town to have an unforgettable experience. Find them here.

VISIT (when it’s safe to do so)

The Southern Highlands. Photo: Tim Bean Photography for HerCanberra.

Once things settle down in bushfire-affected areas, you might want to consider a day trip, weekend or holiday—it’s a great way to give back to the local community. Just stay, eat, drink and spend. Doesn’t sound too hard, does it?

HOWEVER, before you jump in the car you should always consult tourism and emergency services websites for safety information as some areas have not yet been deemed safe to visit.

Here are some websites with the best up-to-date information:

• rfs.nsw.gov.au
• livetraffic.com
• destinationnsw.com.au
• eurobodalla.com.au
• nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
• facebook.com/nswpoliceforce
• bom.gov.au/nsw/forecasts
• Batemans Bay Visitor Centre:  1800 802 528
• Narooma Visitor Centre: 02 4476 2881

WANT SOME INSPIRATION? HERE ARE SOME RELEVANT HERCANBERRA TRAVEL GUIDES*:

• Jervis Bay + surrounds
• Bungendore
• Braidwood
• The Hilltops Region + surrounds
• Our favourite South Coast beaches—please keep in mind that some of these have been severely affected by bushfire
• Kiama, Gerringong, Gerroa
• The Central Coast
• The Southern Highlands

*As stated above, the bushfire situation is constantly shifting, so make sure to check all relevant safety websites before planning anything. 

VOLUNTEER + SUPPORT

Sometimes, a helping hand is the best donation you can offer. Here are some places you could approach:

• #SLABSFORHEROES has been putting together epic care packages to be trucked down the coast to RFS volunteers and affected communities doing it tough. Find more information here.
•  In Gungahlin, The G Spot’s Andrew Dale has been working tirelessly to support crews and those affected since the northern New South Wales fires since November. Find more information here.

If you have the capacity to volunteer into the future, you may want to consider looking into the Rural Fire Service (RFS) or State Emergency Service (SES).

There are also plenty of events across Canberra where locals are banding together to support those doing it tough.

We’ve tried to include as many as possible below, but if you have one for inclusion that we’ve missed, shoot it through to editor@hercanberra.com.au!

Click each event for more information:

• 1 February—Build A Bear in Support of WIRES at Canberra Centre
• 1 February—Bushfire Relief Benefit Concert at Hawker College
• 4 February—Mrs Fray and Jenny Wu Photography are offering 15-minute mini headshot sessions for $200 per person at Mrs Fray’s Campbell store from 4–7 pm with all proceeds going to WIRES. Email lifelinesessionscbr@gmail.com to enquire or book.
• 8 February—Bushfire fundraiser at Hotel Queanbeyan
• 8 February—Bushfire Appeal 12 Hour Dance Marathon at Subsdance
• 15 February—Zumbathon for Bushfire Relief at Harrison School

Feature image: Jervis Bay. Tim Bean Photography for HerCanberra