BlazeAid at the Showgrounds

Bridgetown Agricultural Society has made the Showgrounds and its amenities available for the BlazeAid volunteers with the invitation “There is plenty of space for you to bring your own caravan, motorhome, swag or tent. Toilets and hot showers are on site.” The welcome is there because a lot of the BlazeAid helpers are travelling grey nomads who are willing workers.

BlazeAid is a volunteer-based organisation that works with families and individuals in rural Australia after natural disasters such as fires and floods. The volunteers help to rebuild fences and other structures that have been damaged or destroyed.

Ed and Judy Bland are on the BlazeAid board and are the coordinators for BlazeAid in Western Australia.

This is Ed and Judy’s tenth camp with BlazeAid and this year they are coordinating four camps in the West.

Camps at Bruce Rock and Bridgetown are underway with two further camps being organized, one for Denmark and another for Narrogin.

Judy spoke about the work BlazeAid was carrying out in Bridgetown, “The camp opened up on the 20th February and we have at this time twelve volunteers at the showgrounds, there are more on the way, but we will limit the camp to thirty volunteers.

“The damage to fencing from the fire in Bridgetown has been estimated at somewhere between 50 and 70 kms of fencing that needs to be replaced.

“At the moment we have seven ‘combat’ trailers. Each one is full of the gear which is required for putting up fencing. The trailers are equipped with post hole diggers, chain saws, post drivers as well all the assorted tools like shovels, rakes and fencing tools. There is another ten on the way to the West for the other camps.

“Fencing is a priority, with stock control issues. It is also the job when tackled by a lot of hands can make a big difference in small amount of time.

“The natural disaster affected Shire usually approaches BlazeAid with a register of farmers and landowners who have lost fencing and need help. The BlazeAid coordinator takes over the task from there.

“Farmers are a self-reliant lot and can be reluctant to accept help, I’ll sometimes hear, ‘I’ll be right, but so and so down the road can do with some help. They come around and accept a little help when they see how quickly and skillfully the fencing can be replaced on a neigbouring property.

“Fencing and its insurance is one of expenses which is first to be pruned when things get tight, so most farmers welcome our help.

“Usually, the farmer or landowners supply the posts, gates and fencing wire and the BlazeAid volunteers do the rest.

“There is also an account set up at Richfeeds in town, you may contribute any amount you can afford with the monies going to BlazeAid to cover fencing costs.

“Anyone can be a BlazeAid volunteer, there literally is a job for every willing worker.

“BlazeAid crews are made up of four to five people who are always accompanied by someone who knows the ‘ins and outs’ of fencing and who is trained on the fencing equipment.

“Locals are welcome and may volunteer on a daily basis, or for a week. The jobs vary from fencing, cleaning, administration and preparing lunches.

Some of the jobs require little training, like wire twitching, applying wire ties or the rolling up the old fencing wire.

“Meals are provided for the volunteers, Breakfast, a cut lunch and a two-course evening meal. All those who work for BlazeAid are covered by its insurance.

If you would like to volunteer and would like some more information you can call Judy on 0427 614 546.