SOLID FOUNDATION: (from left) Into Your Hands committee members Loretta Carroll, Jan Mock, Jennette Howman, Doug Connors, David Koren, Brian Lane, Paula Pipan, Stephen Routledge and Cathy Sonnemann meet to discuss the establishment of a Community Foundation after $1 million was contributed to the venture by the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund.Photo: Simon Crase

A MILLION dollar contribution from the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund (VBAF) will help establish a Community Foundation to assist survivors of the 2009 Victorian bushfires with medium and long-term recovery.

The Community Foundation for the Alpine, Indigo and Wangaratta regions was recommended by VBAF’s Community Advisory Committee (CAC) following a public consultation process with bushfire-affected communities last year.

Community foundations are independent, locally-run organisations and grow a collection of funds over time to service the community’s needs through the provision of grants.

CAC member and Mudgegonga resident, Loretta Carroll, said the Community Foundation’s creation was the top priority for those impacted by the February 7, 2009 Beechworth fire, which spread to affect much of the Mudgegonga and Kiewa Valley region.

"The Community Foundation will allow a wide range of community groups and organisations to apply for grants to fund projects and programs which support people impacted by the 2009 bushfires," Ms Carroll said.

The local community committee members met at the Myrtleford Savoy Club last Wednesday to discuss the way forward for the foundation after the announcement was made.

Ms Carroll said the feeling among the group was "very positive" while acknowledging there was plenty of hard work ahead.

"It will take several months to establish the foundation and thankfully VBAF will help guide and support us through this process," she said.

VBAF chairman, Pat McNamara, said it would create a sustainable resource to fund projects which support fire-affected communities.

"The benefit of a Community Foundation is that it puts the decision-making power into the hands of local community members, who are best placed to identify initiatives that will work in their areas," Mr McNamara said.