THE Richmond Football Club is holding a three-day department conference in Wangaratta and surrounding towns including Whorouly, Myrtleford, Bright and Oxley to give much needed support to the bushfire affected communities.

Starting Monday, the Tigers had 52 staff members travel to the conference, staying at local hotels, eating at local restaurants, purchasing petrol and holding breakout sessions at cafes around different rural towns.

It is estimated the club will tip more than $40,000 into the local economy as part of the initiative that has been devised in consultation with Visit Victoria’s Business and Sport for Bushfire Recovery Program.