In response to the recent storm and bushfire disasters that Victorians have been
enduring, the VFF has opened applications and is encouraging donations for the
VFF Disaster Relief Fund.
What is the VFF Disaster Relief Fund?:
The Victorian Farmers Federation Disaster Relief Fund (VFFDRF) was
established as a trust in 1994 by the VFF Property Trust Ltd to assist farmers
who suffer loss as a result of flood or other natural disaster. Specifically, with the
charitable objectives:
- To provide relief and assistance to farmers and other persons living in rural
areas in Victoria and elsewhere who are suffering loss or are suffering
distress as a result of flood or other natural disaster, and
- To procure contributions to the Fund in lawful manner in the form of
monetary donations, or gifts of food, fodder or other materials (sic).
Application information:
The VFFDRF Committee will oversee the collection of donations from the
community, assessment of applications, and approval and distribution of
individual grants to farmers up to the value of $5,000, for impacts from
storm or bushfire that occurred from 9 February 2024.
Applications will be assessed individually based on the level of impact,
vulnerability, urgency and evidence and will be open until 10 March 2024.
When it was last enacted in 2020 after devastating bushfires, donations helped
restore thousands of kilometres of damaged fencing, repaired pasture, replaced
troughs and tanks and also contributed to fixing infrastructure.
Evaluation of each application will begin immediately and the VFF will advise as
soon as possible on application outcome. To be eligible to apply, you must be a
farmer and must demonstrate sufficient need for financial assistance.
Donation information:
The VFF DRF is open for donations, if you are willing and in a position to
contribute.
Donations to the fund are allowable as a deduction under sub-section 30-45 of
the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997. When claiming a deduction in income tax
returns please refer to the VFF Disaster Relief Fund (ABN No 35 322 103 054).
The VFF would like to express our gratitude to those who have already donated
and thanks everyone who contributes, no matter how big or small.
How do I make an application or donate?
Further information is available on the VFF website, including full eligibility
criteria. Please click here.
The VFF’s thoughts again go out to those battling the current bushfires that
continue to impact communities near Ballarat and those who have been
impacted by our recent wild weather.