In the days and weeks after the fires began, we’ve witnessed first-hand incredible acts of kindness, of people coming together to support each other through extraordinary hardship… like you always do.

Leanne and her husband had a dream — to retire to the country and spend their days enjoying the quiet beauty of rural Carlisle. But things have been tougher than they ever expected. As pensioners, they worked hard to build up their six acre property and care for their livestock, which helped feed both them and their extended family. To make ends meet, they began accessing their local foodbank to supplement their meals. “That market day saves me and my husband. I often forgo feeding us to feed my animals.”

Then, just last weekend, fire arrived at their back door. Leanne was evacuated with their dogs and cat, while her husband stayed behind to look after the other animals. This is where we met her at the Colac Showgrounds in the emergency relief centre. She was staying in a caravan.

After evacuations, Leanne says it’s the recovery that’s hardest: “The evacuation is a lot, but then you have to go back and sort everything out.”

This is why we need to be there for the long term, to support people like Leanne and her husband not just in the moment of crisis, but also through the long road to recovery.