Official link to the community-run relief fund:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/harcourt-progress-relief-fund
On 9 January 2026, a catastrophic bushfire devastated Harcourt and surrounding areas in central Victoria. It destroyed homes, properties, and treasured community places. Fires have continued to burn for days, preventing evacuees from returning while emergency services and volunteers put in heroic efforts.
The full scale of devastation is still being realised. Many structures were destroyed, livelihoods disrupted, and families displaced. Emergency services are still working. The road to recovery will be long and challenging.
How can I help? Give to the community-run Relief Fund
This is the official link to the Relief Fund that is by the Harcourt community, for the Harcourt community.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/harcourt-progress-relief-fund
This is the only officially endorsed Harcourt community GoFundMe campaign for bushfire relief. Other campaigns may also appear online, but this official community website can only vouch for the Harcourt Progress Relief Fund.
Use the official link to donate with confidence
The Harcourt Progress Relief Fund is managed by the Harcourt Progress Association — a long-standing local non-profit organisation that supports the wellbeing, development, and resilience of Harcourt. They are Harcourt folks working for the Harcourt community.
By giving through the official link, supporters can have confidence that their donation will go directly and completely to the families and community members impacted by the bushfires.
Other fundraising campaigns online
In the days since the fires, many other GoFundMe campaigns have appeared. Some are folks in genuine need, and we do not discourage giving. We do encourage discretion, to make sure donations benefit those in need. At this stage, this community website and the Harcourt Progress Association can only attest to the genuineness of the Harcourt Progress Relief Fund.
If you want to donate to a specific cause or a specific family, feel free. As always, make sure the campaign is genuine and that you can be confident the funds go where they’re needed.
If you want to give to a genuinely local fund administered by and for the communities impacted by this terrible event, make it the Harcourt Progress Relief Fund.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/harcourt-progress-relief-fund/stream-notifications-box?locale=en-AU&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=streaming_widget&attribution_id=sl%3Af4136dc8-e64a-46c5-bcf9-31826971c3c4