The VCC was first brought into disaster recovery work under DISPLAN in 1978. As a result, the Victorian Council of Churches was asked to chair the counseling sub committee of the Displan Welfare Plan. This committee later evolved to become The Personal Services and Counselling Sub Committee, and after the 1983 bushfires the Community Recovery Committee.
The Department of Human Services has contracted the VCC to provide outreach, psychological first aid, personal support and emotional spiritual care. The Community Chaplaincy arrangement was initiated in preparation for the 2006 Commonwealth Games with a view to continuing as an element within the State Emergency Recovery Plan (SERP).
The VCC is identified in the Emergency Management Manual of Victoria (EMMV). See ‘About Us’ for further information.
The VCC has responded to numerous State Disasters including the Ash Wednesday bushfires in 1983, Gippsland Floods, North East Floods in 1993, Mildura’s Cardross Accident in 2006, Kerang Train Crash in 2007, Melbourne Airport Incidents, Burnley Tunnel Accident and Black Saturday Bushfires in 2009 and floods in 2010/2011.
VCC Responds to fires across the State in January and February For full version of newsletter click here: Newsletter February 2013 455kb
PEOPLE WHO NEED HELP LEAVING A BUSHFIRE AREA EARLY. All Victorians should be prepared and ready to act if bushfire threatens. But for some, leaving early is the only option – especially for some older … Continue reading