The AOC made its donation to the 2009 Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund launched by the Victorian Premier in partnership with the Australian Government and the Red Cross.

 

More than 181 people are feared dead and more than 5,000 have been made homeless after Australia was hit by the most devastating bush fires in the country's history.

 

John Coate, the president of the AOC, said: “The AOC has a responsibility to the Australian community to which we belong.

 

“And we have a special relationship with the people of Victoria who have a unique love of sport.

 

They have produced a great many of our Olympians; hosted an Olympic Games in their capital, Melbourne; and always supported our Olympic teams and Olympic team fundraising appeals.

 

“Victorians support of our Olympic team appeals is not only from the big end of town at our Prime Minister's Olympic team dinner every four years.

 

"Importantly, it also comes from those across regional Victoria who are the ones now themselves most affected by the devastation of these bushfires."

 

Donations to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund can be made through the Red Cross by ringing 1800 811 700 or online www.redcross.org.au.