Vic Fires

[Rowlie]

I have just returned from a week in central Victoria working with BlazeAid after the fires of last month. I was working in the Murrindindi Shire where there is over 4000ks of fencing impacted. There are several more councils affected so Heaven knows how much fencing is involved all up. As many of you know the work is hard and the days are long but it brings its own rewards. I had to pull out for a break as the arthritis in my hands wasn't doing much for my sleep patterns but I am convinced they put something in the food to make you forget  .

As with most things the volunteer rates have been great but as we move further from the event and the news coverage fades so do the numbers. The camp I attended had great people, was well co ordinated, the food was good (and plenty of it). I camped in my van with 240v available, others had tents, swags or stayed in supplied pods.

I am not a BlazeAid spokesperson - just a strong supporter. The gratitude from not just the farmers but the community in general helps you to stand taller after a day of bending.

I hope to return after attending to a few things on my own ranch. The camps will be going for 12 months or more on these fires so plenty of opportunities to re enlist.

Rowlie

[Bird]

The gratitude from not just the farmers but the community in general helps you to stand taller after a day of bending.

I hope to return after attending to a few things on my own ranch. The camps will be going for 12 months or more on these fires so plenty of opportunities to re enlist.
Rowlie

On ya Rowlie.. its hard to see but very rewarding.

When we did it out of Bales, the farmer was in hospital after getting trapped in a wind change and had extreme burn injuries...
Our team got to his farm his wife and kids were there, they were a bit concerned as we turned up basically uninvited.
We spent 2 days clearing burnt fences, chopping dangerously burnt trees etc...

Then without expectation or asking we got invited to a full roast meal with fresh cooked cakes etc from the family at the house.

Like Rowlie - it was a great feeling to help them and their appreciation was next level.

[Hairs]

Rowlie, You are doing good.
To all volunteers that help, communities are made of volunteers.
Strange you bring this up, Fencing.
I have often wondered how many Kilometers of fencing there is in Australia.
In my travels, just throughout the Clarence Valley, I have no idea how many kilometres there are.
Each fence serves a purpose, they are in country, where you would be struggling to walk up, let alone dig ground to put posts in.

I know after the fires that impacted the Nymboida are, a great of fencing is still needed.
There are also residents, still without homes,

You don't use magic to disappear, ya use a 4x4 & Swag.