BLAZEAID is on the ground in the North East, helping local communities rebuild after October flooding decimated paddocks, infrastructure and hundreds of kilometres of fencing.
Founded by Kevin Butler in 2009 in response to the Black Saturday fires, BlazeAid is a volunteer organisation that works alongside rural families and individuals after natural disasters such as fires and more recently floods, establishing basecamps in hard–hit regions.
Of the five basecamps currently operating in Victoria, three are in the North, with one in Lockington, another in Kerang, and the newly opened Swanpool camp which started hosting volunteers on January 10.
There have also been requests to set up a camp in Strathbogie Shire after riverine flooding impacted towns across the region, with central and northern Victoria experiencing some of the worst of the spring downpours.
The task is a mammoth one and BlazeAid – a not–for–profit reliant on volunteer assistance and donations – is keenly aware that time is of the essence.
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"It's vital to establish a BlazeAid basecamp as soon as possible after the disaster event," said Melissa Jones CEO of BlazeAid.
"This is not only for the property owners with livestock issues, but for everyone affected.
"Knowing that help is at hand has an extremely positive impact on people who often don't know where to start rebuilding.
"In addition, the response from volunteers is much higher in the initial days and weeks after the disaster."
However with the demands of the holiday season and the sudden onslaught of hot weather, volunteer numbers are low with camps across the state all desperate for assistance.
"The current heat is discouraging volunteers," said Melissa.
"We need help, so we can get the work done quickly and farmers can get back to some degree of normality.
"Volunteers do not need any fencing experience.
"Just a willingness to give it a go and learn on the job."
In Lockington alone there are 32 farms in need of help.
"Thirty two and counting," said Melissa.
BlazeAid envisages they will be in the township for an extended period of time getting the job done.
Grants have also been slow trickling down the line into impacted producers' pockets, with many unwilling to commit to rebuilding infrastructure and repair work whilst waiting on confirmation of funding.
Ray Sweeney is based on the Gold Coast.
He travels interstate regularly with BlazeAid to help communities rebuild, and has done for almost a decade.
It is Ray who opened up the Swanpool camp, his second camp after opening up the Lockington location in early November.
He will stay at the camp for three to four weeks before being replaced by another coordinator.
"Work at the moment is dependent on how many registrations come in," said Ray.
"We currently have ten farmers registered, with others waiting on grants before committing."
Work on four of those ten farms has already been completed.
"At the moment we are waiting on more jobs to come in," said Ray.
Establishing a basecamp in a community is no small undertaking, with each camp costing BlazeAid up to $5000 per week to run.
As a result basecamps are only set up when there is a significant distance of fencing to be rebuilt, and enough affected individuals and families who are willing to work alongside the volunteers.
The team knows that this need exists in Swanpool and surrounds.
"One property alone has nine kilometres of fencing that needs to be completed," Ray said.
Mid–week throughout January, the Swanpool camp would get down to an average of five volunteers, with the numbers bolstered over the weekends.
"We're reliant on community engagement and support," said Ray.
"Whether that's just for a day or two, or a week or more.
"Any help is hugely appreciated.
"Members of the Yarra Valley 4x4 Club spent their Australia Day public holiday in Swanpool volunteering.
"The group lent a hand repairing fences on flood–affected properties from January 24 to January 28.
"It's this kind of support that we find invaluable," Ray said.
"BlazeAid is not just rebuilding fences, it's helping to rebuild lives."
