The Print & Visual Communication Association (PVCA) has launched a Bushfires information portal and is working with several members whose businesses have been directly affected by the 2019/2020 bushfires that have burned 10.7 million hectares across the country.
“We're happy to announce that our Bushfire information portal is up and running at bushfireinfo.business,” says Andrew Macaulay, CEO PVCA. “This online portal is for people in business to access crucial information about assistance and advice to help them get back on their feet.
“Your industry association has been liaising directly with the State and Federal authorities co-ordinating bushfire emergency relief, and has collaborated with other associations for other industries and with the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry to make this online bushfire information resource available.”
The PVCA says a number of members have been directly affected by the fires and it's working with these members to assist them. The print industry employers group is also providing immediate assistance for Industry Relations and WH&S issues. PVCA encourages members to call the association hotline on 1800 227 425.
“Additionally, some members have offered to provide backup to printers who are production effected,” says Macaulay. “If you would like more information or need help, please contact us directly at info@pvca.org.au. We hope that this initiative helps those in need, now, when it counts.”
Elsewhere, FESPA Australia threw its support behind another Bushfire Support initiative set up last week by industry group Visual Connections.
“We have all been touched in different ways by the tragic events of this summer,” said FESPA Australia president Nigel Davies. “The team of FESPA Australia has received many kind notes of support from our colleagues in the international FESPA community who have all seen the events on the news in their own countries.
“As one of a number of Associations servicing our industry, we have been asking ourselves how best we leverage our community to help those affected by the fires and their aftermath. As printers and signmakers there are of course others we can help supporting our fellow members and businesses affected.
“We received an email from Peter Harper, CEO of Visual Connections, which included a link of resources. which is a good summary we can all share. The link is Bushfire Support.
"Feel free to contact us directly if you have any suggestions you may wish us to share or post your thoughts directly via our Facebook page," Davies said.
Visual Connections: Bushfire Support and Recovery
Like most Australians, the Visual Connections team has spent the holiday period watching the unfolding bushfire crisis across the country. Like many of you, we have friends, family and colleagues caught up in these events and remain concerned for the well-being of all involved. We are also conscious that many of our industry businesses will be adversely affected by the fires, and stand ready to do what we can to assist.
At this point, the protection of lives and assets is paramount, and it will be some time in each area before efforts can move past these immediate needs. If you would like to assist with this initial stage, the best advice at present is to donate money rather than goods. There are a number of reputable organisations involved in supporting both those impacted and the emergency services involved, including the following:
- Red Cross
- St Vincent de Paul (Qld, NSW & SA)
- Salvation Army
You can also donate via
- Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website (for all affected States), and
- the Victorian Government’s Vic Emergency Website.
Importantly, these sites also provide information on issues including financial counselling for farmers and businesses, insurance matters and replacing documents and identification. The ATO and ASIC have also put out information relating to the business obligations of businesses affected by bushfires.
We have also been in touch with our contacts at Share the Dignity, one of the charities we supported at PrintEx, and they are already involved in providing much needed sanitary supplies to evacuees and also fire fighters in the affected areas. Check how you can support them at https://sharethedignity.com.au/Natural disasters not only create a range of physical and practical problems, they can also trigger very strong emotional and psychological reactions. If you are affected by these events, have friends or family in the fire zones, or are struggling with the trauma wherever you are, we would encourage you to reach out to one of the many agencies who have people on hand to help. These include:
- Lifeline - or phone 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue
- Headspace (free online and telephone service helping young people between 12 - 25 and their families going through a tough time) - or call 1800 650 890
- Kids Helpline (free, private and confidential counselling for young people between 5 - 25 years) - or call 1800 55 1800 (Thanks to our friends at Man Anchor for helping us compile this list).Over the coming days and weeks, we will be exploring more opportunities to assist with the recovery efforts in affected areas, particularly for industry businesses which have been adversely impacted. To stay up to date with industry initiatives, and how you can be involved, stay tuned to this website and our social media.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VisualConnectionsAus
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4759407/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VisConAustralia
Commonwealth Disaster Recovery Assistance includes:
Commonwealth Government Disaster Recovery Payment – $1,000 per adult and $400 per child for people severely affected by bushfires. Contact Human Services on 180 22 66.
Commonwealth Government Disaster Recovery Allowance – short term income assistance for people severely affected by bushfires. Contact Human Services on 180 22 66.
The Small Business Commissioner of NSW has launched a support page for small businesses affected by the bushfires.
“The bushfires ravaging NSW are fierce, frightening and destructive. Many small businesses have been affected, with property damaged or destroyed, business disrupted and incomes reduced or lost. We can only imagine the stress and strain impacted small business owners must be feeling."
The Commonwealth Government's Comcare agency also released a set of legal guidelines regarding work carried out in poor air quality.
Print and design franchise Kwik Kopy joined a Red Cross ‘All in’ Australian retailer fundraiser.” Over 45 of Australia’s leading retailers with a combined network of 1,000+ stores joined forces to provide 100% of profits from Thursday 9th January to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund.
