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Updated: 24 December 2025
Buloke Shire Council is supporting residents impacted by the recent Charlton fire.
Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by the fire and we encourage community members to take care of themselves and one another and reach out for support if needed.
For direct personal support during the Christmas–New Year break, a call line has been established for Relief and Recovery for those impacted by the Charlton Fire (December 2025).
📞 Emergency Recovery Hotline: 1800 560 760 (Available Monday–Friday, 9 am–5 pm)
Stay connected for updates and resources in the New Year. Council will reach out to impacted residents in January to follow-up with those who have registered information.
Recovery Information Session Tuesday 23 December 2025.
Thank you to the Charlton community. We appreciate everyone who joined us at Charlton Park for the information session.
Residents will heard from the Incident Controller, Buloke Shire Council, Agriculture Victoria, and other support agencies, and provided information to Council to enable advocacy and follow-up assistance.
Important links:
Service update links
Support Service Links
Council staff can assist with completing the forms required - please call 1300 520 520 for assistance.
Legal Services and Resources Links
Returning Home
Returning home can be stressful. It’s normal to feel numb, helpless, lonely, angry or hopeful. Understand what you and your family might be feeling before you go home.
Pets
Your pet’s behaviour could change after a disaster. They could become aggressive or scared until things have settled. Talk to a vet if you are worried.Check all fences and gates for damage.Scent markers they use to find home might have been affected. Keep them close so they don’t get lost.Check for hazards at nose or paw level. Things like spilled chemicals, fertilisers and debris could be dangerous to pets.If possible, only bring your pets home after repairs and rubbish has been removed.
Injured native animals
If you find an injured native animal you can: contact Wildlife Victoria on 03 8400 7300 find wildlife carers and organisations.
Health and Wellbeing Support
ParentLine is there to help you be a positive parent in difficult situations. You can talk about any issues like behaviour, stress or relationships.
Kids Helpline offers free 24/7 counselling for youth (ages 5–25). They can talk about anything big or small, serious, or silly, easy, or complicated, long or short, bad or good, in the past, future or now.
Headspace can help when young people are feeling stressed or overwhelmed (ages 12–25).
DirectLine can help you take control of your alcohol or drug use.
There is a link between disasters and an increase in family violence. It can happen to anyone. Call Triple Zero (000) if you are in immediate danger.
Men’s Referral Service works with men who are worried about their behaviour and want to change.
1800RESPECT is available for free, 24/7. Even if you’re not sure if what you’re experiencing is family violence, you can talk to a counsellor and get the help you need.
If you or a loved one needs extra support, speak with a local doctor, mental health professional, or counsellor. Call Triple Zero (000) if in immediate danger.
Lifeline offers confidential 24/7 support. They exist so no one has to go through their darkest moments alone.
Beyond Blue can help when you need information to support others, or when you feel overwhelmed and don't know where to start.
Organisation / Service
What They Do
Website
Phone
Email
Emergency Relief & Recovery Information
Central hub for relief & recovery services (financial, housing, wellbeing)
https://emergency.vic.gov.au/relief
1800226226
Emergency Recovery Victoria (ERV)
Coordinates recovery support after disasters
https://www.vic.gov.au/emergency-recovery-victoria
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Victorian Government – Help After Bushfire
Info on relief programs and support
https://www.vic.gov.au/help-after-bushfire
Victorian Council of Churches (Emergencies Ministry)
Community support, welfare volunteers
https://www.vcc.org.au
(03)96504511
vcc@vcc.org.au
Australian Red Cross
Disaster support, financial assistance & referrals
https://www.redcross.org.au
1800733276
contactus@redcross.org.au
Rural Aid
Counselling and support for rural families
https://www.ruralaid.org.au
1300327624
contact@ruralaid.org.au
Beyond Blue
Mental health info and support
https://www.beyondblue.org.au
1300224636
1800 RESPECT
24-hour counselling
https://1800respect.org.au
1800737732
Lifeline
24/7 crisis support
https://www.lifeline.org.au
131114
MensLine Australia
Support & counselling for men
https://www.mensline.org.au
1300789978
Parentline (Victoria)
Family support and counselling
https://www.parentline.com.au
132289
National Debt Helpline
Financial counselling and hardship support
https://www.ndh.org.au
1800007007
Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS)
Free financial counselling for farmers & small businesses
https://www.agriculture.vic.gov.au
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Victorian Small Business Commission (VSBC)
Business support & dispute resolution
https://www.vsbc.vic.gov.au
1800878964
enquiries@vsbc.vic.gov.au
Insurance Council of Australia
Info on claims and insurance help
https://www.insurancecouncil.com.au
1300444557