After Black Saturday, in 2009, Kilmore East farmers, Kevin and Rhonda Butler needed to quickly secure their 1,500 sheep. Family, friends and local volunteers helped and within one week a very big job was done. Rhonda and Kevin decided to try to help others with their fencing and BlazeAid was born.
A volunteer-based organisation BlazeAid now works alongside farmers and families in rural Australia after natural disasters such as fires and floods.
Fencing work has already begun at the Dunkeld basecamp, Queensland and at the Ungarie, Wagga Wagga, Narrandera and Bribbaree basecamps in NSW.
Many properties here have been flooded two or three times and farmers need a hand getting their fencing rebuilt to stop cattle and stock from straying, to keep stock away from crops, etc.
In these declared disaster areas it ‘s likely volunteers will be needed until at least July or August.
‘Please, just come’, says the BlazeAid Volunteer Info Page.
Whether you can work for one day, or a week or more, your contribution will make a difference and help flood-affected families in rural Australia.
For people who can’t help with actual fencing, there are jobs to do around the basecamp, including cleaning, catering, tool shed, etc. or you can help by providing:
BlazeAid Dunkeld basecamp, Queensland (south of Mitchell or north of St George) – Chris & Peter on 07 5549 2935 or blazeaid.dunkeld@gmail.com
BlazeAid Ungarie basecamp, NSW (45 km north-west of West Wyalong) – Rob & Dot on 0466 459 217 or blazeaid.ungarie@gmail.com
BlazeAid Wagga basecamp, NSW (8 km east of Wagga) Eugene on 0435 301 294 or blazeaid.wagga@gmail.com
BlazeAid Narrandera basecamp, NSW – Angus on 0431 901 486 or blazeaid.narrandera@gmail.com
BlazeAid Bribbaree basecamp, NSW – Cheryl and Jan on 0431 901 592 or blazeaid.bribbaree@gmail.com
Kevin Butler, BlazeAid Founder and President 0418 530 471 (8am to 7pm Melbourne time) blazeaid@gmail.com
Lyn Bailey, Admin or General enquiries 0478 536 650 (8am to 7pm Melbourne time) blazeaid@gmail.com
A fantastic effort BlazeAid!