£15,000 for Australian Bushfires Appeal

The President of The Grand Charity has approved an emergency grant of £15,000 to assist victims of the bushfires that tore through the state of Victoria, Australia. The money will be donated to the Grand Lodge of Victoria, at Melbourne, Grand Master’s Victoria Bushfires Appeal.

The impact of the fires has been catastrophic. At least 189 people are known to have died and whole towns have been reduced to ash. The flames, which have been fanned by a combination of record temperatures, drought conditions and changing wind direction have scorched an estimated 365,000 hectares of land.

The Grand Master’s Victoria Bushfires Appeal has been launched with an initial contribution of AU$400,000 from the Grand Lodge of Victoria's Benevolent Fund and will provide direct and prompt assistance to the communities and individuals affected by the fires.