The 68 Rural Fire Service brigades in the Southern Tablelands will be among the 2002 brigades putting their hands up for a share in the $51 million raised by Celeste Barber.
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But it's not known yet exactly how or where that will be distributed.
Following the judicial decision on Monday, which confirmed that the money could not be shared with other charities, a NSW RFS spokesperson said that the trust was given permission to extend the funds to areas other than equipment.
"As well as equipment, they have allowed for the funds to be used for health and well being of volunteers, trauma counselling, injured and deceased firefighters and their families, and also for training," said Greg Allan for the NSW RFS.
"We wanted to be able to spread it around, which is why we went to the court to see if there was any leeway for that. But there wasn't."
A $20 million pool has been set up from which brigades can apply for up to $10,000 for certain items, and 150 applications are already being processed.
The decision on Monday sparked fierce debate across the state, particularly from people who donated to Barber's fund on the understanding that the money would go to victims of bushfires.
On the Goulburn Post Facebook page, residents expressed their displeasure with the finding that money could only be used by the RFS.
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"I assumed my donation was going to help people that lost their homes in the fires, to help with necessities for them to get back on their feet," said Shirley Curtis.
"Then on Monday, I had a call asking for money for the Rural Fire Service."
Jennifer Aubrey said she did donate, and wished the money could be used Australia-wide because donations had come from everywhere.
"I'm happy that, at least, families of victims will benefit," she added.
"I think a fund should be set up for families of firemen who get injured or killed in the future. I hope the bush fire brigades use the money wisely to buy lots of equipment because it is a lot of money."
But former Goulburn resident Bob Jackson, who now lives at Sussex Inlet, also donated and said he would do so again.
"The wording and way the fundraiser was set up has led to this issue," he said.
"Despite several cynical idiots who see this as government cash grab, the money will go to the legally correct destination. It serves as a warning to future fund raisers."
Mr Jackson was in Wagga during the fires, unable to get home to Sussex Inlet.
"Not knowing what was happening to my property was stressful," he said.
"On our return, once through checkpoint, the sights coming in to Sussex were like a moonscape. The town was saved by fortunes of wind change and firefighting efforts.
"Everybody who donated to whatever cause did so in good faith and the average person has no idea of how these funds are distributed, nor the legalities of allocation.
"I think many valuable lessons have been learned by governments , fire fighters and fundraisers."
Many comments were very supportive of the RFS and criticised angry donors for not reading the fine print.
"I don't understand why everybody is up in arms about all the money going to the RFS," said Lyndel Kahler.
"Not only was it clearly stated that that's where it was going, but isn't it a good cause to donate to too?
"Remember it was their volunteers out risking their lives for months on end to try and save the victims houses."
Mr Allan added that the funds would also be put toward a number of statewide priorities such as communication and fire fighting equipment, improvements to brigade stations and amenities and aircraft.
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