Speaking to a gathering of about 70 on day two of the Yarram district's bushfire action and recovery expo Ms Nixon emphasised the VBRRA was aware of all the communities hit by February's bushfires.

Her comments were partly in response to Cr Gregg Cook's introduction where he indicated to Ms Nixon many locals felt the district's fires were like the war in Afghanistan, remote and forgotten.

Ms Nixon acknowledged much money donated for bushfire victims had yet to be taken up but assured the gathering it would be used for its intended purpose of aiding fire victims.

``If we work together we recover and respond much better. We know communities, rather than councils or governments, will tell us what they want,'' she said.

Ms Nixon also stressed the need for people to be much better prepared for the coming fire season.

``Understand how a fire will affect you, be prepared, know where you are going to go. We do not want to frighten people but everyone needs to be better prepared and not panic.''

Ms Nixon's address was followed by a three hour community workshop to develop projects and visions that would assist the district recover from the fires.