News Service from House Harris

US: Americans and Aussies raise more than $US50,000 for bushfire victims

LOS ANGELES, Feb 14 AAP - Australians and Americans have come together in Los Angeles and New York to raise more than $US50,000 ($A76,587.27) for victims of the Victorian bushfires.

Organisers in both cities were astounded by the turnout on Saturday.

The Los Angeles event was held at Sunset Boulevard bar The Blue Goose Lounge while several thousand New Yorkers packed Manhattan bar and restaurant, The Australian, throughout the day.

"It was shoulder to shoulder throughout the entire day and night," Australian Consul General in New York, John Olsen, told AAP.

"On a holiday weekend in New York to have that sort of response and turnout was tremendous."

Olsen estimated more than $US50,000 alone was raised at the New York function for the Australian Red Cross Bushfire Appeal, where a $US20 ($A30.63) entry fee was charged, $US2 ($A3.06) from every drink was donated to the appeal and raffles for VB, Tooheys and Boags beer and Tim Tams were held.

Australian gridiron star Ben Graham attended and signed a pair of his NFL boots as part of a sports memorabilia auction.

Olsen was also honoured by the turnout of US officials, including senior members of the New York fire and police departments as well as the national president of the Vietnam Veterans of America.

A minute's silence was held at the New York event and the US and Australian national anthems were played.

"I'm staggered with the response," Olsen said.

"If ever there was a question about the US-Australian alliance, it showed it to me in New York tonight it has never been stronger.

"It was very real."