The CGA has also committed to joining national sporting partners in a programme of activities to assist with recovery in affected areas.

"The devastating fires will have a long-lasting impact on many communities, and along with a range of organisations from the Australian sporting fraternity, Commonwealth Games Australia is ready to provide whatever assistance we can to help the recovery process,” CGA President Ben Houston said.

CGA chief-executive Craig Phillips said they would work with sporting organisations and the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) to deliver support.

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It is so hard to truly understand the level of devastation and suffering happening right now across the country from these fires. I am so grateful to the relentless work and sacrifice from the firies, most of who are volunteers, saving thousands of people’s homes and lives, and still continuing. From being down at Lake Conjola over the last week, you can feel the way the community has come together to support eachother. Everyone across Australia can come together as a country and support from afar aswell by donating to those who have sadly lost their homes and everything in them, and to the fire fighters and volunteers who are risking their lives daily. We can often feel helpless from far away but we can do the best we can by donating to those who have lost so much. Sadly our home town in Lake Conjola was hit very badly, and we were extremely lucky to be safe where we were. But our heart goes to the victims who lost so much, and to the place many call home. To help the victims from Lake Conjola’s recent bush fires of New Years follow the link in my bio ? Some other suggestions are: *Australian Red Cross Disaster Recovery and Relief (just google it) You can also support our brave volunteer fire fighters: *NSW RFS Donations Page Those still in the areas, please be safe, we are thinking of you, and to those fighting these devastating fires, THANKYOU, SO SO MUCH??

A post shared by Emma McKeon (@emmamckeon) on Jan 2, 2020 at 7:43pm PST

"Many Commonwealth Games Australia member sports have already announced bushfire fire appeal activities, including Bowls Australia, Netball Australia, Cricket Australia and Basketball Australia who have community clubs devastated by the fires," Phillips said. 

"Hockey Australia and Squash Australia have also announced fundraising initiatives, as have individual athletes such as the #kms4bushfires started by Delhi and Gold Coast athletics team member David McNeill."

Phillips has also spoken with AOC chief-executive Matt Carroll to make further plans.

"We will work with the AOC on supporting their programmes with the aim of helping communities recover and also work with all three tiers of government to support where we can," Phillips said.

"Obviously we share many sports and athletes across Olympics and Commonwealth Games sports, so a co-ordinated programme that assists rebuilding in impacted communities will be our goal, along with the immediate donation to the Red Cross appeal."

It's the latest in a long line of financial contributions from the sporting community, with Shane Warne's baggy green cap being auctioned for AUD$1 million (£528,000/$690,000€620,000).

Australian gold-medal-winning Olympian Emma McKeon has also been very active on social media, highlighting the crisis.