Genoa Victoria Bushfire appeal for community

** Update 7 February, due to complications with this sit not accepting the community bank account for us to deposit directly to the Genoa Town Committee bank account I will deposit the funds raised into my account and transfer across to the community account myself. For the community to spend as per below. Thank you all so much for your donations - Kayla 


Genoa is a small, remote country town in Far East Gippsland that has been devastated by the recent Victorian bushfires.

This community was left to fend for ourselves while also trying to protect stranded tourists as the fire front rushed through the township on the 31st of December 2019.

Many residents selflessly stayed to protect not only their homes but the homes of others. The fire hit hard and many houses, community buildings and the heritage listed town bridge that was at the heart of this community was destroyed. Devastatingly that was not all that we lost. Genoa has also lost a much-loved member of our community who died while defending his family home.

The Genoa River Bridge was a historically and architecturally significant landmark. Completed in 1927 it was one of only five timber truss bridges left in Victoria and the only surviving example of a multi-span timber-truss bridge built by the Country Roads Board. A devastating loss.

Upsettingly the Genoa River Heritage bridge could have been saved with the help of a fire truck. The community members and tourists were left to fight the fire with only buckets and bins of water. They were able to extinguish the fire but not before our beloved bridge was destroyed.

Our community has come together more than ever to help support each other during this difficult time

All money raised will be deposited by Me lissa into the bank account of the Genoa Town Committee. The funds will go directly towards rebuilding our little community. Money will be distributed equally amongst residents who have lost absolutely everything to help begin the journey of rebuilding their lives.

Genoa doesn’t have a fire station and if it wasn’t for the brave and selfless residents risking their lives to stay and fight, we wouldn’t have a town to come home to. We want to make sure nothing like this ever happens again and ensure the town is prepared and well equipped for any future fires.

This community was forgotten. This community is hurting but we are strong. Please help us rebuild our little town that we all love so much.

About us:
Our names are Kayla and Melissa. Childhood friends, who both grew up in this beautiful town of Genoa and where both of our families continue to live. We have such fond memories of this town and admire the spirit and resilience of the community.  Although we are currently living elsewhere, we still think of Genoa as our home. It will always hold a special place in our hearts as it's where we became who we are today. We are truly devastated to hear what our little community went through on their own and the tragedy they have experienced. Which is why we wanted to start a campaign to help our home town as no-one else was. It's the small communities who always miss out and are over looked and it's the small communities that don't make the news and receive the recognition or support they deserve. We want to help those who have helped us all these years and show them they are not alone and not forgotten.