With the terrifying images of blood-red skies and holiday-makers sheltering on beaches in East Gippsland on New Year's Eve, Canadian's Robyn Power knew she needed to help.
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A former CFA volunteer herself, Ms Power saw a friend's social media post asking for donations of food and other supplies for Gippsland Farmer Relief.
Within four hours of sharing it on Ballarat social media groups on Wednesday morning, Ms Power had amassed three car-loads of tinned food, dog food, toothbrushes, pasta, toilet paper and other items.
As of late Wednesday night, the fires had reportedly burnt more than 676,000 hectares across the region, killing a 68-year-old man from Buchan and destroying about 70 structures, including homes.
There were more than 40 fires still burning across Victoria with about a dozen at the watch and act level.
Thousands of residents and holiday-makers have fled the region, or have been left stranded.
On Thursday, Ms Power will drive the goods to Blackburn, before they make their way to the charity in Traralgon for distribution further east in Bairnsdale.
Ms Power said dozens of people had quickly arrived with all sorts of goods, and there were some tears when people donated items.
"One woman had lost her dog and she was having to raise funds for surgery, and she didn't need it - so she dropped off dog food and a ute-full of toilet paper," she said.
"They even donated some money towards petrol - we all cried together.
"I can't physically help out but I can help with food and toiletries."
Ms Power said she and her family had just returned from New South Wales, which had been similarly ravaged by fire.
"My husband's family live in Colo Vale and the fires were only five kilometres from there in Hilltop," she said.
"I know a few people here who went up to help in the NSW fires."
The donations also include a dozen handbags from Share The Dignity, a charity which ensures tampons and other sanitary items can get to women who need them.
"I was brought up in a family helping others, and once I saw that post I knew it was a calling for me to jump on," she said. "I'd love to go all the way, and say 'here's what Ballarat's done'."
After spending much of Wednesday afternoon stacking her car, a trailer has also been kindly donated to move the goods.
Gippsland Farmer Relief is a charity based in Traralgon, founded in 2016 to help farmers suffering through the drought, either directly through donated items or by referring them to services.
This week, it has accepted donations to pass through directly to the Bairnsdale fire relief centre to help people affected by the bushfires.
It's called for new tinned food, cereals, and pasta, as well as toiletries like toothbrushes and deodorant.
Ms Power said she was happy to receive more donations and help get them where they were needed, if approached via her Facebook profile.
"What's more Australian than helping each other out? It's what Aussies do - they'd do the same for us," she said.
"I know it's going to go to people who have lost absolutely everything."
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