The shock and grief of the devastating Black Saturday Bushfires that swept Victoria in February 2009 was felt by Australians around the globe.

The fires which burned over 4,500km in Victoria during some of the worst bushfire conditions ever resulted in 173 losing their lives, Australia'a highest ever loss of life from bushfires. Over 2,000 homes were destroyed in Melbourne's north-east in the fires that affect over 51 individual townships and left over 7,500 people homeless.

Members of the Scottish Masonic Charitable Foundation of WA, individual Scottish lodges, The Grand Lodge of Western Australia, The Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter and The District Grand Royal Arch Chapter raised over $120,000 to help support those who lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods in the devastating fires.

The funds raised were presented to the Grand Master of Freemasons Victoria on behalf of all West Australian Freemasons by the Grand Master of The Grand Lodge of Western Australia 'M. W. Bro. Wayne Hibble'. For more information about the Freemasons Victoria's Grand Masters Appeal please visit http://www.freemasonsvic.net.au/