“A little goes a long way”: Locals distribute more than 2,000 supply packs to West Vic firefighters and impacted communities

“The smile on their faces when we drop off grab bags - they’re just so grateful.”

Zara Cuthbertson
January 28, 2026

After clocking 4,000 kilometres and distributing 2,000 ration bags, Madison Sheaf has spent the past fortnight ferrying food and relief supplies to firefighters and bushfire-hit communities across western and central Victoria.

Doing her part: Sheaf runs a small catering business from her home in Batesford, which is near Geelong. She began the effort after her husband Justin Heinze, a state forestry firefighter, noticed fire crews didn’t have enough food, even when supplied meals were factored in.

“At that point I decided I probably wanted to do a little bit more if I could help it,” Sheaf told the Brolga.

What’s inside? The “grab bag” ration packs contain three to four snack items, including protein bars, jerky, chips, lollies and juice boxes - “enough to keep crews going” during long shifts.

Most have been delivered to CFA stations across the south west and into central Victoria, including crews working the Ruffy-Longwood fires.
Ten larger community boxes, stocked with toiletries, water, canned goods and other essentials, have been sent into fire-affected towns such as Carlisle River and Gellibrand.

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With the Otways still burning weeks after dry lightning first struck, Carlisle River and Gellibrand residents have faced more challenging days of extreme heat and stressful fire conditions.

Growing fast: What started as a household effort quickly escalated. Sheaf and Colac mum Chantelle Saunders spent days ringing businesses for support, and the community response has snowballed.

“Our phone call log is absolutely ridiculous,” Sheaf said.

“There’s been 20 businesses in Colac and the Geelong surrounds that have donated so far, and I’m going to Bunnings to pick up another donation [on Wednesday].”

Busy women: Between collections and deliveries, Sheaf estimates she has driven more than 4,000 kilometres in 14 days.

Saunders has been helping coordinate drop-offs while juggling four children and full-time work.

Despite the workload, Sheaf said the reaction from CFA crews made the effort worthwhile.

“The smile on their faces when we drop off grab bags - they’re just so grateful,” she said. “A little bit goes a long way out there.”