Harcourt Progress Association
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Harcourt Bushfire Relief Appeal
On 9 January 2026, a catastrophic bushfire devastated Harcourt and surrounding areas in central Victoria. Homes, farms, and cherished community spaces were lost. For days, fires continued to burn, preventing families from returning home while emergency crews and volunteers worked around the clock.
The scale of loss is heartbreaking — lives disrupted, homes destroyed, and communities forever changed. Recovery will take time, strength, and support from all of us.
How you can help
Please give to the official Harcourt Progress Relief Fund — created by the Harcourt community, for the Harcourt community.
This is the only officially endorsed GoFundMe campaign for Harcourt’s bushfire relief. It is managed by the Harcourt Progress Association, a long-standing local non-profit dedicated to the town’s wellbeing and recovery. Every donation given through the official link goes directly to families and residents impacted by the fires.
Many other fundraising pages may appear online — some are genuine, others uncertain. Please give with confidence by using the verified link below, so your support reaches the people who need it most.
Please see below for supports available. If your question cannot be answered here, contact harcourtrelief@gmail.com or 5415 3101.
Anglicare Victoria 5440 1100 provides guidance, insurance assistance (inc uninsured and underinsured), paperwork assistance, grants, financial counselling.
Housing support: Dhelkaya Health 5473 1000
Clean up assistance: Emergency Recovery Victoria will coordinate agencies for building and property clean up. Register at https://www.vic.gov.au/clean-support-january-2026-bushfires
Wildlife assistance:
Vets for Compassion 0407 084 594
Wildlife Victoria 8400 7300
Clean up advice: Mt Alexander Shire Council
Immediate support and check in:
Lifeline 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14
Immediate support for kids:
Kids Helpline 1800 551 800
Support for 12-25 year olds:
Headspace Bendigo 54061400
Recovery focussed mental health support:
Mind Australia 4442 9100 mtalexanderlocal@mindaustralia.org.au
Free counselling: Dhelkaya Health dhelkayahealth.org.au
Family violence: 1800RESPECT 1800 737 732 (call or text)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis support line:
13 YARN 13 92 76
Peer support: Castlemaine Safe Space 74 Moyston St
Community Lunches: Harcourt Leisure Centre
(Wed/Fri during Feb 12-2pm)
Castlemaine Community House
(12.30-1.30 Tuesdays)
See more here.
Local businesses offering various services: here.
Gift vouchers: HPA stall at Harcourt Leisure Centre
(Wed/Fri during Feb – household limits apply)
Funding from HPA Community GoFundMe: information to come
Relief payments including re-establishment payment, lost livelihood payment, power outage payment: https://www.vic.gov.au/financial-help
Contact your bank: may be relief on loans, deferred payments, merchant fee waivers.
Business Support: Workforce Australia 1800 805 260
Farm & Small Business Advice: Rural Financial Counselling Service: 1300735578 wswrcs.com.au/
Farm Financial Assistance: Agriculture Victoria 1800 226 226
Farm advice: Agriculture Victoria
Fencing repairs: Blazeaid 0409 804 844
More business financial support here.
Insurance difficulties: Australian Financial Complaints Authority 1800 931 678 afca.org.au/
Legal advice: Arc Justice 5445 0909
Document replacement: Bendigo Justice Centre 5440 6100 bendigoccs@justice.vic.gov.au
Pantry food and frozen meals:
Clothing: Distribution Centre, 5 Johnstone Rd, Castlemaine
(Tue/Thu 10am-1pm)
Hay (large bales): Local supply: Form at Statewide Irrigation,
84 Forrest St Castlemaine.
VFF Emergency Fodder: here
Hay (small bales), stockfood, pet food, horse items:
10-11.30am Saturdays, Coolstore Rd, Harcourt shipping containers.
See what is available at: Household donated items then email harcourtrelief@gmail.com or attend the Distribution Centre at 5 Johnstone Rd, Castlemaine. Navigate the list below or click this link to open in a new browser if you’re having trouble viewing:
We are now accepting cash donations via bank transfer as well as our GoFundMe page! If you’d prefer a bank transfer, we gratefully accept donations to the below account.
Bendigo Bank
BSB 633000
Account Number 239624604
Account Name: Harcourt Progress Association
No longer being received
Complete the form here.
Contact harcourtrelief@gmail.com
Food – pantry items: place in yellow food relief bins at major supermarkets (Castlemaine & Bendigo) or contact Foodshare Bendigo.
10-11.30am Saturdays, Coolstore Rd Harcourt shipping containers.
Text 0428 135 324
General volunteering: complete the form here.
Blazeaid 0409 804 844
For any other inquiries, contact harcourtrelief@gmail.com
or 5415 3101.
Find other general support & grant information from the Mount Alexander Shire:
Find other general support & grant information from the Mount Alexander Shire:
Stay informed with daily updates from the Mount Alexander Shire:
Find other general support & grant information from the Mount Alexander Shire:
For a range of supportive information please visit our Facebook page for video content from our past information sessions and a range of other helpful info:
We are a member-based organisation with a mission to
effectively support and represent the Harcourt Valley Community,
always striving to support the Community develop in
a vibrant, sustainable and inclusive way.
The Core is the official community newsletter for the Harcourt Valley, published eleven times a year. Serving Harcourt, Faraday, and surrounding areas, it keeps the community connected with local news and events.
Click on the image below to view the latest edition.
The Harcourt Progress Association acknowledges the Dja Dja Wurrung people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet, live and work. We pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
Copyright Harcourt Progress Association Inc 2026 © All rights Reserved
ABN: 22887254268