Bushfires continue to devastate every state of Australia, and the Federation of Australian Historical Societies acknowledges the hard work of first responders and community members during this time. As the recovery efforts begin the first priority is the safety of our affiliates and their families.
Donations for immediate relief and future recovery for affected communities can be made to the Australian Red Cross who are distributing food and supplies, and reuniting families.
If you have more time than money to spare, consider donating items now via Givit, and volunteering at your local museum or historical society once rebuilding has commenced. We’ve seen in the past how bushfires and other natural disasters bring the community together, particularly in hubs like historical societies and regional museums.
In assessing the damage to property and collections, Blue Shield Australia’s resources about disaster preparedness and recovery will be helpful to those communities whose history and heritage collections have been affected by this disaster.
We are yet to understand the extent to which our nation’s rural and regional heritage has been affected, and the Federation of Australian Historical Societies will monitor this closely in partnership with Blue Shield Australia. If your history group has been affected by bushfire we encourage you to reach out to us or Blue Shield Australia for assistance.
See also: Local History Backup