Hi everyone. My name is Jaimie, and I’ve set up this page on behalf of my cousin, Mel Obst. Many might know Melanie through her artwork on Instagram and her shop in Dimboola.

Thank you to those who have reached out already to offer support and have asked how you could help.

As many of you know, the catastrophic fires that swept through the Wimmera on Friday, January 9th, left a trail of heartbreak in their wake. For Mel and her daughter Tilley, that heartbreak is personal: within moments, the swift-moving fire took their home in Natimuk and along with it, all their possessions. Those who know Mel know she is a deeply genuine and proud person—the kind of person who is always the first to offer help but the last to ask for it. Mel is now facing the overwhelming reality that she and Tilley, who are navigating this with the support of her husband Stu, have been left with nothing. I am reaching out to the community, to help Mel and Tilley find their footing and begin the long process of rebuilding their lives from the ground up. Any donation, no matter how small, would help with immediate essentials like clothing, toiletries, and temporary housing. Please share this link with your network and help us reach those who know and love Mel and Tilley.