MORE than $9 million has been shared among the Adelaide Hills and Kangaroo Island communities with the last of the SA Bushfire Appeal donations distributed.
There are 1062 families, individuals and businesses, with 15 announced in round two of the Community Strength and Resilience Initiative, which exhausted the funds.
Human Services Minister Michelle Lensink said South Australians who lost homes, livestock, vehicles and businesses were among those helped by the Appeal.
"Every dollar donated to the SA Bushfire Appeal has now been distributed to South Australians in need - and everyone who donated can be very proud their contribution went to help our communities rebuild after such devastation," she said.
"Over the past few months, we've been working hard to get the money in the pockets of those who need it most, so this is a significant milestone that $9 million has now been gifted."
Among the latest recipients is $20,000 to Agriculture KI to allow for 20 fire-affected KI farmers to visit Eyre Peninsula and learn about the recovery of farmers affected in Black Tuesday, as well as $20,000 to Kangaroo Island Business and Brand Alliance to produce a KI Community Directory as part of its #JustBuyKI project.
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Mental health was a key focus with the funds with $20,000 to Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation to implement the Barn Yarn initiative and normalise conversations on mental health within farming communities while the Adelaide Hills Wine Region also received $20,000 for community events to provide growers with preparedness and mental health advice.
The Rotary Club of Onkaparinga Inc received $20,000 to assist the clean up of affected areas through fence line cleaning, provision of materials and rebuilding.
"A heartfelt thank you goes to all of the individuals and businesses, both locally and abroad, who very generously donated during SA's time of need," Ms Lensink said.
"Their donations joined a $2 million Marshall Liberal government contribution, which saw the SA Bushfire Appeal total reach just over $9 million."
Ms Lensink said the latest 15 projects joined 22 others announced in July, bringing the total to 15 projects on KI, 21 in the Cudlee Creek area and one that spans across both regions.
The remaining projects under round two include $15,000 to the Lenswood Bowling Club to improve lighting and seating, $20,000 each to the Torrens Valley Football Club and Nairne Oval Committee to upgrade lighting for night sports, $20,000 to the Schools Ministry Group, $10,000 to Junction Australia for the KI Community Centre, $6500 to the KI Garden Club to arrange a series of open home gardens for the community, $5512 to the Nairne Cricket Club for artificial grass, $19750 to Ink Pots Arts for workshops and programs for fire-affected families, $19,400 for the Lobethal Recreation Ground Sports CLub to update disability access to oval clubrooms and $20,000 to Disaster Relief Australia to provide training for the team and local residents to build capability to assist with bushfire recovery operations.
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