EIGHT months on from the Longwood Bushfires, recovery continues across Murrindindi Shire. For many people and communities impacted by the January fires, rebuilding is much more than replacing what was lost. It is about restoring livelihoods, reconnecting communities and supporting people through a recovery journey that will continue well beyond the immediate aftermath of the fires. Foundation Murrindindi established the Murrindindi Disaster Fund in January 2026 to support this ongoing recovery. Over the past month, $85,500 from the Fund has been directed back into fire-affected communities through two initiatives, the Purchase a Picket Appeal and the inaugural Murrindindi Disaster Fund Grant Program. Launched on July 1, the Purchase a Picket Appeal gave people a simple and practical way to stand alongside local farmers and landholders rebuilding after the fires. Every $10 donated represented the cost of a star picket to help replace damaged and destroyed fencing across fire-affected properties in Murrindindi Shire. Foundation Murrindindi matched public donations dollar-for-dollar for the first $20,000, helping the community’s generosity go even further. Thanks to an incredible response, the appeal raised $33,000, which has now been provided to BlazeAid who are a trusted and respected charitable organisation already on the ground, working alongside local landholders and volunteers to rebuild fences. BlazeAid will use these funds to purchase fencing materials. Importantly, this appeal is a reminder to fire-affected farmers and families that their broader community continues to stand with them. Recovery also happens within towns, halls, community groups and gathering places. Through the inaugural Murrindindi Disaster Fund Grant Program, Foundation Murrindindi has awarded $52,500 to 21 community organisations delivering locally led recovery initiatives across fire-affected communities. The grant program is built around a simple principle that local communities understand their own needs. The funded projects will help strengthen community connections and wellbeing, rebuild local capacity, support resilience and enable communities to develop initiatives that respond to their own recovery priorities. Behind each of these grants are local volunteers, community groups and people willing to step forward and do something positive for their community. Foundation Murrindindi congratulates all 21 successful organisations and looks forward to seeing these projects come to life across Murrindindi Shire. Foundation Murrindindi understands that recovery does not end when the immediate emergency is over. The Foundation itself grew from the experience of the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires and the understanding that genuine recovery is long-term, locally driven and changes as the needs of communities change. The Murrindindi Disaster Fund has been established to provide practical support for the medium to long-term recovery of communities affected by the Longwood Bushfires. The $85,500 distributed through these two initiatives represents more than a financial contribution. It represents fences being rebuilt, community projects getting underway, people reconnecting and local ideas being given the resources to become something tangible. Above all, it represents community supporting community. There is still a long road ahead, and Foundation Murrindindi will continue to work alongside local communities as recovery evolves. Every contribution to the Murrindindi Disaster Fund, large or small, helps make that ongoing support possible. To learn more about Foundation Murrindindi’s bushfire recovery work or to support the Murrindindi Disaster Fund, visit the Foundation Murrindindi website foundationmurrindindi.org.au or contact Robyn Hill, Executive Officer Foundation Murrindindi on 0488 007 688.
