Grapevine: Webber lends support to fire victims

On his first trip back home to Australia since the devastation, Webber made a private visit to the areas of St. Andrews and Kinglake to meet locals who had suffered in the fires.

"Obviously devastation of this enormity leaves you feeling quite empty for the loss of life and property that the people here have had to deal with," said Webber after the visit.

"As an Australian living abroad I have been humbled by the amazing response of the Australian people to the Bushfire Appeal and I suppose like most others just wanted to do something to help these people in a small way."

He added: "What became very obvious to me today is that among all of the mass destruction, there is an absolute determination to rebuild these communities and businesses. I think as a bigger community we need to make sure we assist this process as much as we can and return to these areas and support these businesses."

Webber is so keen to do his bit to help that he has decided that all royalties he earns from sales of his personal merchandise range will be donated to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal.