Community Caring for Community:
Ravenswood/Harcourt Bushfire Relief Mutual Aid
What's happening right now
Fires are burning on Dja Dja Wurrung Country, where we're based. Our neighbours in Ravenswood, Harcourt, and the surrounding areas have lost homes and been displaced. People need help now.
We're raising funds to support them directly.
How you can contribute
Every amount helps. Whether it's $5 or $500, it all goes directly to people in crisis.
Bank details:
NAB
Account Name: Valo Collective Pty Ltd
BSB: 086-006
Account: 302-541-419
Reference: Bushfire mutual aid
Please use the reference so we can track things clearly.
What is mutual aid?
Mutual aid is community members helping each other directly, without waiting for large organisations or government systems to step in.
It's based on a simple idea: we look after each other. When someone in our community is struggling, we help. When we're struggling, our community helps us. It's not charity flowing downward. It's neighbours supporting neighbours.
Mutual aid has always existed in communities, especially when formal systems are too slow, too complicated, or leave people out entirely.
Why a mutual aid approach makes sense
We live here. We know people. We can respond fast.
When someone needs money for a motel room tonight or food today, they shouldn't have to fill out forms or wait for approval. Large organisations often have admin costs, eligibility criteria, and waiting periods. That's not what people need right now.
Mutual aid means every dollar goes directly to someone who needs it. No overhead. No gatekeeping. No delays.
It also protects dignity. People are dealing with trauma and loss. They don't need to prove they deserve help. They just need help, and we can give it.
Why PTC is focusing on the Ravenswood / Harcourt fire area
We know there are fires burning in other parts of Victoria. We're focusing here because this is our community. This is where we live and work, where we have relationships and local knowledge.
We can respond quickly because we're connected. We know who needs support and how to reach them without barriers.
Focusing locally doesn't mean other areas don't matter. It means we're doing what we can do well. Mutual aid works best when it's grounded in real community connection, and that's what we have here.
If you're in another fire-affected area, we encourage you to organise mutual aid there too. Local people know their communities best.
How we're working
We're giving money to people we know need it. This includes people we know personally, people our community members tell us about, and people who reach out directly.
We're focusing on immediate needs like somewhere to stay, replacing essentials, food, medication, and covering the sudden costs that come with losing everything.
There's no application. No waiting list. No criteria except genuine need. We give funds as quickly as we can.
Keeping this transparent
We'll publish our bank statement showing money coming in and going out. All names and personal details will be removed to protect everyone's privacy.
You'll see:
How much has been donated
When money comes in
When money goes out
How much is left
You won't see:
Who donated
Who received funds
Why someone received support
People in crisis deserve privacy. We won't share identifying details about recipients. This is a hard time for people in our area, and their dignity matters more than public accountability about individuals.
If you want to know more about how we're doing this, we're happy to talk. But we won't compromise anyone's privacy.