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Gippsland campus supports evacuees and fire fighters

11 February 2009

Monash University's Gippsland campus is playing an important support role around this month's tragic bushfires.

The campus is being used as a staging area for agencies battling the devastating fires, as well as an evacuation point for families left homeless by the fires.

Agencies including the Country Fire Authority, Department of Sustainability and Environment, Department of Human Services, Latrobe City Council and St John Ambulance have worked around the clock to control the fire that started in the Strzelecki Ranges on Thursday 29 January.

This week more than 125 firefighters from across the state were accommodated at the campus.

Gippsland campus Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Helen Bartlett said Monash University staff at Gippsland had done an amazing job supporting the community effort.

"The campus catering staff served hundreds of hot meals and breakfasts to weary firefighters who came to the campus for rest breaks before heading back to the fire front," Professor Bartlett said.

"Student housing has been very helpful for families evacuated from their communities.

"Some arrived very distressed having lost their homes or not knowing if their home would survive."

Professor Bartlett said the Gippsland campus had been safe at all times. The campus will continue to provide support during the recovery period as the needs of local families are assessed.

A free public seminar 'Dealing with trauma' will be held in the Auditorium at the Gippsland campus on Monday 16 February from 1 pm to address the personal and social issues created by the bushfires.

For more information contact Hugh Brown on +61 3 5122 6425.