2 March 2009 

Welcoming the news that the Victorian and Federal Governments will fund the Victorian bush fires clean-up, Blue Shield Australia has joined with the Collections Council of Australia to issue a cautionary message.

Blue Shield and the Collections Council remind everyone that:

• It's important not to throw damaged items away too hastily. 
• Many items that appear badly damaged can, with professional assistance, be salvaged and restored.
• It is crucial to work with conservators to find out the best way to salvage family heirlooms and community collections. 
• Building materials from historic sites might be useful in planning reconstruction. They may contain information about historic construction methods.

Click HERE to read our Media Release issued on 2 March 2009.

We congratulate the Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Material (AICCM) on the release of two brochures, After a fire and Salvaging keepsakes after a disaster. Both are available from the AICCM's website.