Rising from the ashes
Victims who lost their homes in the recent spate of devastating bushfires in Victoria, Australia, are to receive £23,000 each to help them kick off the mammoth task of rebuilding their properties...
The last of Victoria's major bushfires is almost contained but all four of the major blazes that haunted the state may keep burning until winter.
The Department of Sustainability and Environment said that the 25,000 hectare blaze in the Wilsons Promontory National Park was expected to be contained by this coming weekend.
The other major bushfires - including the giant Kilmore East Murrindindi North and South complex fires and the Bunyip Ridge blaze - were contained last weekend.
The ‘Black Saturday' bushfire disaster on February 7th killed more than 210 people, destroyed or damaged thousands of homes and left many homeless.
Now, owners of the homes that were affected are to receive a total allocation of more than £60.9 million out of the £110.6 million donated in response to the fires.
More than 1,800 homes and 400 rental properties were destroyed in the fires and around 700 homes were uninsured.
The sheer amount of money that was donated following the fires was unprecedented and highlighted an outpouring of grief from all over the world in response to the disaster. This grew stronger once it was revealed that some of the fires had been deliberately re-lit by arsonists.
This allocation is the first significant distribution of the money raised and will be give in equal measure to bushfire survivors who owned homes, regardless of their financial or personal circumstances.
This could be the only allocation of money that is not means tested and a second round of payments, which is expected to be announced within the next two weeks, will be means tested.
Melissa Arch, a Spokeswoman for Vic.gov.au/news-detail/victorian-bushfire-appeal-fund-1800-811-700.html">Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund Chairman John Landy (who was the former Victorian Governor) said, "The panel recognises the bushfires were the most significant natural disaster in Australia's history and all of those people affected were significantly affected.
"That second payment that will be available will be needs based and will recognise some people were more affected," she added.
The donations are still continuing as the victims try to get their lives and communities back to some semblance of normality.
The initial grants will consist of £16,000 for rebuilding and £7,000 to replace contents, while tenants in rented properties will get £7,000 to replace lost or damaged contents.
The Premier of Victoria, John Brumby, said, "The Government was very keen for these announcements to be made as early as possible so families could plan ahead with certainty and security and know what support they might be receiving."
Fancy a challenge? Run the Great Ocean Road
One of most spectacular stretches of Coast in the world, the Great Ocean Road, which stretches between Melbourne and Adelaide, is holding an international marathon in May.
Regularly voted one of the top tourist attractions in the world, the Great Ocean Road boasts the famous Twelve Apostles rock formations plus stunning beaches and seaside towns.
The 2009 Great Ocean Road International Marathon will be held on the 16th and 17th May and is open to runners and walkers of all levels. Competitors can choose how far they run - there will be arranged routes varying from 6.5 kilometres to 45 kilometres.
As well as boosting fitness levels, it could boost your bank balance too, with around £19,000 in prize money up for grabs.
Check out the Great Ocean Road International Marathon website for more information and to find out how to enter.
Picture by absolutwade