The death toll from fires in southern Australia has reached at least 181, the worst in the country's history. Thousands of firefighters, aided by the army, are battling several major bush fires, and the number of dead is expected to rise over 200 as fires are put out. Several properties owned by Adventists have been destroyed. It is yet unconfirmed if any Adventists have perished in the fires.

Nathan Brown, editor of Signs of the Times in Australia stated in an email today that while things are quieter now, there are still 23 fires burning across the region.

Below, we are posting the latest bulletin announcements released by the church in Victoria.

Statement by the Victorian Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

The Victorian Conference unites with all church members from around Victoria and Australia, to express their deep sympathy for the many families who have lost loved ones, friends, property, livestock, pets and much more in the recent bush fires.

We pray for strength and comfort for those who grieve such terrible loss and pray for rapid recovery for those who have been injured. We reflect on Christ who demonstrated unending compassion and sympathy for those who were hurting and pray that His followers will demonstrate the same compassion as they support their friends and neighbours.

As fires continue to rage, our thoughts are with those who are fighting to save life and property and those who face the grim task of assessing the level of loss to the community.

Through the various communication channels available to us, we are committed to ensuring that we become aware of specific needs in our community and respond as quickly as they arise.

The church through its development and relief agency, ADRA, has provided financial support. Additional support will be provided to affected families following the collection of a special offering on Saturday, 14 February.

ADRA Responds to Victorian Bushfires

In response to the tragic and devastating bushfires in Victoria, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Australia has committed$150,000 to fund a response in partnership with the government-nominated lead agency, the Australian Red Cross. Read more...

Update #1 for Church Members (Feb. 9)

From: Cveta Bakof 

Dear Church Members 

At this stage, we are uncertain of the total extent of the damage to the friends, families and neighbours of our church family. We are aware of a number of families who have lost their homes. We are also aware ofa number of friends of the Adventist Church who have lost their lives in the fires. Our hearts and prayers go out to these people and their families.

At this point of time we are aware of news from a number of specific areas:

• A church member and his family from Healesville have lost their house.
• A church member from Greensborough has lost his house.
• A family who are friends of the church in Kinglake have lost their home.
• A family attending church at Moe has lost everything.
• Some members of Seymour church, living at Broadford, have not been contactable.
• An Adventist businessman has lost a substantial amount of heavy equipment.
• Nabethong, a health centre operated as a private venture by some of the church families, has been spared.

Without doubt we will soon hear the details of other situations. Read more of this report...

Update #2 for Church Members (Feb. 10)

Click here for the update on schools and churches affected, emergency procedures in place, and if you'd like to give, the Victorian Conference has established a relief fund to provide immediate assistance to victims of the bushfires.

Information on the Relief Fund and How to Give

The Victorian Conference will take up a special offering in all its churches this Sabbath, 14 February, to collect money that can be given directly to Adventist Church members, family and friends who have been affected by the disaster. This offering is an initiative of the Victorian Conference. The money collected will go directly, and as quickly as possible, to those Adventist families and friends affected by the fires. As the money collected will be used specifically for Adventist families and friends, the money collected will not be tax deductible. If you wish to donate to this collection directly, please contact the Victorian Conference Chief Financial Officer, Mr Steve Whitson on (03) 9264 7710. His email address is swhitson@adventist.org.au

News Report and Footage from February 9