Victorian bushfire appeal launched

A 2009 Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund has been launched in response to the weekend's
devastating, deadly fires.
Premier John Brumby launched the appeal and said people could donate to the fund
through the Red Cross.
The death toll from the fires, which raged through several regions across the state,
so far stands at 66 and hundreds of homes and community facilities have been burnt
to the ground.
The state and federal governments donated $2 million apiece to the fund, in addition
to the $10 million Community Recover Fund announced by the federal government.
Banks including National Australia Bank, ANZ, Commonwealth Bank and Westpac have
already donated $1 million each and Wesfarmers has pledged $500,000.
Mr Brumby said an independent panel of community leaders would set criteria for
directing funds raised to people, organisations and communities.
The criteria will include the degree of hardship people have experienced and the
degree to which a person's livelihood and infrastructure have been affected.