Supporting community-led recovery after recent bushfires
Recent bushfires have impacted Mt Lawson, Walwa and surrounding communities, causing damage, loss of livelihoods, disruption and uncertainty for people across the region.
Border Trust has established the Mt Lawson/Walwa Bushfire Recovery Appeal to raise funds that can be quickly distributed to local not-for-profit organisations and community groups supporting recovery efforts on the ground.
Why this appeal matters
In the weeks and months following bushfires, communities face a wide range of needs — from practical assistance and community reconnection to longer-term recovery and rebuilding. This appeal is designed to provide support that is:
- Timely — responding as needs emerge
- Flexible — adapting as recovery progresses
- Locally informed — guided by people who know their community best
Funds raised will support locally led projects and initiatives that help people return to their homes, land and communities and strengthen community connection and wellbeing.
Our experience
Border Trust is the Community Foundation for the Border region and has a strong track record in managing disaster recovery appeals.
As trustee of the Towong Community Bushfire Disaster Relief Fund, Border Trust has responsibly distributed more than $2.85 million to support community-identified recovery initiatives, with strong governance, transparency and accountability.
This experience ensures funds raised through the Mt Lawson/Walwa Bushfire Recovery Appeal will be managed carefully and directed where they can make the greatest difference.
How to donate
You can support the recovery of Mt Lawson, Walwa and surrounding communities by making a tax-deductible donation
Online
Donate via our secure online donation page:
You will automatically receive a tax-deductible receipt.
By bank transfer
BSB: 640 000
Account number: 111 057 043
Account name: Community Foundation for Albury/Wodonga Region
Reference: BUSHFIREAPPEAL + Your Name
Please email admin@bordertrust.org.au with your details to receive a tax-deductible receipt.
Community Q&A
Community Question
Q. Will donations from this appeal really help local people, farmers and small businesses?
A. Yes. Funds raised through the Mt Lawson / Walwa Bushfire Recovery Appeal are distributed through trusted local not-for-profit organisations that work directly with individuals, families, farmers and volunteers.
In the immediate term, this may include vouchers for food, pharmacy or agricultural supplies, allowing people to purchase what they need, when they need it — from local businesses, helping keep cash flowing in the local economy.
Border Trust also takes a longer-term view, funding mental health, wellbeing and social connection programs in Towong Shire that support farmers, small business owners and young people as they recover from bushfire trauma.
This approach ensures support is practical, flexible and locally informed — guided by community input and delivered with transparency and accountability.
What’s next?
This appeal will run for approximately four weeks, unless the fire situation changes during this time and we need to keep the appeal open longer. At the conclusion of the appeal period, Border Trust will review the total funds raised and begin the next phase: community-informed recovery and granting.
Our approach will be guided by the principles that underpin all our disaster recovery work:
- Listening first. We will work directly with the community to understand priority needs, identify gaps in existing funding, and gain insight into where support is most urgently required.
- Community-led decision making. A local grant advisory group, with key representatives from the Towong region, will help inform decisions so funding reflects lived experience and local knowledge.
- Fast, practical support. The granting process will be streamlined and accessible, making it easy for local not-for-profit organisations and community groups to apply, and helping funds reach the ground quickly where they are needed most.
Recovery doesn’t happen overnight. By supporting this appeal, you’re helping to create the conditions for thoughtful, locally led recovery, now and into the future.