[Mowselelew]

Public donations to Victoria's bushfire disaster top $30 million in two days
By Karen Davis
AAP
February 10, 2009 06:39pm

PUBLIC donations for bushfire victims have topped $30 million in just two days in an unprecedented outpouring of generosity and community spirit.

The death toll from Victoria's fires has risen to 173, with 26 fires still burning across the state.

Ordinary Australians have responded by opening their hearts and wallets to help people faced with rebuilding their homes and lives.

A total of $28 million has been donated to the 2009 Victorian Bushfire Fund, which doesn't include corporate and government donations.

The Salvation Army's appeal had raised $5.5 million by late today.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has announced an extra $5 million on top of the $10 million already pledged by the Federal Government.

Big and small businesses and sporting organisations have also cast off global financial woes to help.

The NSW Government and the City of Melbourne each announced $1 million donations today, matching earlier million-dollar pledges by the South Australian, Queensland and West Australian governments.

Aldi Supermarkets gave $250,000.

Honda Australia donated $200,000, while the Australia Olympic Committee and V8 Supercars Australia each donated $100,000.

Australian golfers Craig Parry and Nick O'Hern pledged a total of $200,000, while the proceeds of race meetings in Victoria this weekend will also go to the appeal.

The Australian cricket team's one day match with New Zealand in Adelaide was also turned into a fundraiser.

Salvation Army media director Pat Daley said money had been pouring in from the public and the business community since the fund was set up on Sunday.

"It is incredible," he said.

"It's never happened like this before.

"It surpasses everything, the tsunami, Cyclone Tracy."

The Victorian Bushfire Fund was set up only yesterday by the Australian Red Cross and the Federal Government.