The sum was raised at the organisation’s annual ball. 

The money is part of the more than $100,000 raised by the community for the Bendigo Bank charity drive. 

Ballarat Stock Agents’ ball organiser Tom Madden said they wanted to help people in the local community. 

“We are a rural-based organisation; rural people are hurting and that’s why we got behind it,” Mr Madden said.

“We have raised in excess of $110,000 over the past four years for local charities.”

The money has been given to 36 families and individuals.

A $4000 cheque was given to those who lost their homes and a $1000 cheque for those whose property was damaged.

Kim and Julie Nunn lost their home, woolshed and all their stock in the January Carngham bushfires.

The Nunns farmed livestock and grew wheat on their 180-hectare Carngham property. 

Ms Nunn, who received $4000 from the Bendigo Bank fund said, she was very grateful for the money. 

“It has helped, anything is a help and that is a good amount,” Ms Nunn said. “I have got a list as long as my arm (for things to buy). And that money helped buy a few things for our temporary home.” 

Ms Nunn said it was the small, everyday items that she missed the most. 

“I didn’t have a baking dish, potato peelers or slippers,” she said.

“My husband didn’t have a beanie.

“Things that you don’t notice that you don’t have until you need them.”

She said the community had been absolutely wonderful.

“There have been so many offers of help,” Ms Nunn said.

“To raise that much money, an awful lot of people have put in to make that amount and it’s just amazing.”

The Nunns, who are living in a cabin on their farm, will start rebuilding their home next year. 

The Carngham Bushfire Appeal was run and distributed in co-operation with the Pyrenees Shire and Ballarat Community Health.

Nine houses, including the 120-year-old historic Carngham Station homestead, were destroyed in the 1300-hectare Chepstowe-Carngham blaze in January. 

An estimated 600-1000 livestock also perished.

neelima.choahan@fairfaxmedia.com.au