Image: ABC News
Six months after devastating bushfires tore through Victoria, families are still rebuilding their homes, properties and lives. Thanks to generous supporters like you, they're not facing the journey alone.
While the immediate danger has passed, the impacts remain. Homes, infrastructure, vehicles, fencing, equipment and treasured personal belongings were lost. For many people, rebuilding takes far longer than the disaster itself, requiring ongoing support, practical assistance and a community standing beside them every step of the way.
Thanks to the generosity of GIVIT donors, that support is continuing to reach the people who need it most.
Working closely with local councils, recovery organisations and frontline support services, GIVIT has helped ensure people affected by the bushfires receive exactly the goods and services they need to recover, rebuild and move forward.
The impact we've made together
Relief at the end of a long day
Recovery can be physically demanding work.
For residents living in temporary accommodation while clearing and rebuilding their properties, access to basic amenities can make a significant difference to their daily lives.
Thanks to GIVIT donors, portable showers and shower tents were provided to bushfire-affected communities, giving people access to a simple but essential comfort during a challenging time.
Carlie Underhill from Yea Community House witnessed this firsthand as communities across the Highlands worked through the aftermath of the bushfires. "After long, hot days repairing fences, clearing fallen trees, and working through recovery, having access to a proper shower makes a huge difference," Carlie said.
"That moment of comfort at the end of the day helps lift spirits, restore energy, and remind people they're supported."
GIVIT's Mel with Carlie Underhill from Yea Community House with donated shower equipment.
Mel with John Rogers from Highlands Relief Centre.
Helping families with essentials
After the bushfires ravaged the regions, local organisations like the Highlands Relief Centre supported residents as they navigated the enormous task of recovery.
John Rogers and his team worked alongside people affected by the Longwood bushfires, helping them access practical support as they rebuilt their lives.
"Thanks to your donations, we've been able to help families travel to essential appointments and begin vital repairs on their homes and properties," John said.
Your donations provided immediate fuel and hardware to local residents, helping people attend appointments, repair damaged properties and begin rebuilding what was lost. For families facing mounting recovery costs, this practical support helped ease financial pressure it the early days.
Giving to GIVIT gets help there faster
“FamilyCare has greatly valued our partnership with GIVIT throughout the 2026 bushfire recovery supporting clients in the Murrindindi, Mitchell, Strathbogie and Moira shires.
GIVIT’s ability to quickly source and deliver essential goods has made a significant difference to the individuals and families we are currently supporting. GIVIT’s platform is easy to use, new members are registered in a timely manner to allow efficiency with requesting essential items.
Working alongside GIVIT during the bushfire recovery has been incredibly valuable for our team at FamilyCare, this partnership has allowed us to focus on coordination and recovery planning, knowing that material aid is being managed efficiently and with care. FamilyCare staff and clients are forever grateful for these services."
– FamilyCare, community partner organisation
A reason to smile again
One family experienced significant losses when bushfires devastated their property.
Although they were incredibly relieved to save their home, almost all of their essential infrastructure was destroyed. Water tanks, sheds, fencing, machinery and tools were lost in the fire, creating an enormous financial and emotional burden.
Among the many things destroyed were their children's beloved slide and cubby house.
The family were absolutely delighted to receive a brand new slide and see their kids smile.
"We were blown away by the incredible donation to replace the melted play equipment in our yard. The smile says it all."
For children recovering from a disaster, having a safe place to play can help restore a sense of normality. For their parents, seeing their children smile again after such a difficult experience was a priceless gift.
The recipient was all smiles when his family were provided with a donated backyard slide and cubby house.
Adam standing next to the donated portable unit on his property.
Shelter after the bushfires
When Adam (not his real name) lost his home in the bushfires, his life changed overnight.
Already managing ongoing health challenges, he found himself living in a tent on his property while trying to navigate the recovery process and plan his next steps. Without secure accommodation, even the simplest daily tasks became more challenging. Exposure to the weather, limited facilities and uncertainty about the future added further stress during an already difficult time.
Through GIVIT, a donor provided a 2 x 4 metre portable unit, which was transported directly to Adam's property.
The donation offered something many people take for granted: a safe, secure and weatherproof place to call home. Having shelter dramatically improved Adam's day-to-day wellbeing. The portable unit provided stability, comfort and security while he continued working through the recovery process.
After experiencing such significant loss, knowing that complete strangers cared enough to help made a lasting impact. Adam shared how grateful he was for the support he received.
Clearing the way to rebuild
For one man in northern Victoria, the bushfires left a devastating trail of destruction.
He lost everything.
As he began the enormous task of cleaning up his property, one of his most urgent needs was a chainsaw. Dangerous trees damaged by the fire remained standing, creating ongoing safety risks and making it difficult for him to move forward with recovery efforts.
Without the right equipment, the clean-up process was slow, difficult and potentially unsafe.
Thanks to the generosity of GIVIT donors, he received a new chainsaw through his local store. The store also generously contributed by providing a discount and additional accessories, helping maximise the impact of the donation. The practical support meant he could begin clearing hazardous trees and tackling the work needed to restore his property.
But the impact extended far beyond the equipment itself.
"This has made such a difference to my daily tasks. It's had a profound effect knowing I'm part of such a great and caring community, both near and far."
Those words capture something GIVIT supporters demonstrate time and time again: that kindness creates connection.
The chainsaw provided to this local resident helped him safely remove trees from his bushfire-impacted property.
John looks forward to purchasing a new MIG welder to replace the one that was destroyed by the bushfires.
Welding a path forward
When bushfires tore through his community, John lost his home and everything inside it. Among the countless possessions destroyed was an item that was especially meaningful: a MIG welder he had owned and treasured for more than 22 years.
Thanks to the generosity of GIVIT donors, John received hardware store vouchers to help him replace his beloved welder.
"I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved for this gift, which will one day replace my old beloved MIG welder," John said. "Once my home and sheds are rebuilt, I will purchase a new welder so I can get back to fabricating projects and doing welding repairs for friends and family. Again, thank you."
John's story highlights an often-overlooked part of disaster recovery. Rebuilding isn't only about replacing houses and infrastructure but also about restoring the passions, skills and sense of purpose that help people feel like themselves again.
Recovery doesn't end when the flames are out
For many people, recovery is a long and often overwhelming process.
In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, communities come together to respond to urgent needs. As weeks turn into months, however, new challenges emerge. Insurance claims can take time. Temporary housing arrangements continue. Household budgets are stretched. Replacing damaged or lost essentials can feel impossible.
Many people affected by the Victorian bushfires are still facing these realities every day.
That's why GIVIT's model is so important. By working directly with local support organisations, we can identify exactly what people need and match generous donors with those requests, reducing waste and ensuring help reaches the right person at the right time.
Community generosity in action
The success of GIVIT's disaster recovery efforts is only possible because of the kindness and generosity of donors across Australia.
Whether contributing a financial donation, funding essential services or supporting specific requests, every act of giving has helped Victorians navigate the months following the bushfires.
Together, we've shown that recovery is not something communities have to face alone.
Donate goods & services needed for people impacted by the Victoria bushfires
Here are some of the real items urgently needed right now by people impacted by the Victoria bushfires. Can you help?
