General News
28 May, 2025
BlazeAid moves on
THE BlazeAid volunteers based at the Willaura Recreation Reserve have packed up and left after being on the job rebuilding and repairing fences for nearly six months.
The camp was set up on January 3rd after the devastating Yarram Gap fires burnt through rural properties around Moyston, Willaura, Dunkeld and Mirranatwa.
During their time in the district, three hundred different volunteers have put in a total of four thousand workdays.
Fencing crews helped nearly seventy property owners by clearing three hundred kilometres of fencing and building two hundred and four kilometres of new fences.
Kitchen volunteers were busy from early till late and cooked close to five thousand evening meals.
Cleaners and administrative staff were also kept fully occupied looking after a ‘family’ that at its peak numbered 65.
Further statistics about the camp include the average age being 56, the oldest volunteer 85, the youngest 19, and the average stay two weeks.
Camp Co-Ordinator, Stuart Opie, said the volunteers had always been made welcome in the community, and BlazeAid had received wonderful support from individuals, organisations and businesses.
BlazeAiders involved themselves in plenty of Willaura community activities and came to learn a little about the district while they were there.
They entered the Harvest Cutout ‘Water Bombie’ competition, swam laps for the Farm to Pub, attended ‘Dove Café’, took part in Peter Sporton’s AFL skills clinic and Aussie BBQ at the bakery, and set up a stall at the Willaura Health Care Market.
Volunteers helped cook at the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal luncheon, attended the Anzac Day ceremony and enjoyed the Town Criers Night with Kirsten Diprose and Damian Callinan.
The regular ‘Friday Night at the Rec’ meals continued, and locals and volunteers alike were able to mingle and share stories.
Stuart Opie said it had been a happy camp.
Quite a few volunteers who had only intended to stay a short time ended up in Willaura for many weeks, and some left, only to return again to volunteer some more.
He pointed out that BlazeAid volunteers often gained just as much from the experience as farmers did.
Young backpackers were able to see ‘the real Oz’, learn new skills, and gain a respect for and an understanding of what our farmers face. Like the older volunteers, they also formed strong connections and forged new friendships.
The ‘grey nomads’ found they had a purpose in life, enjoyed helping others, and gained a sense of achievement in having built something that would last.
Of course, the farmers benefited enormously. Some of the damage sustained in the fires was repaired, the workload and expense was reduced and they could get on with the business of farming.
For everyone their sense of wellbeing was enhanced, and it could be appreciated that out of a very negative situation, some good could arise.
One of the final donations to BlazeAid presented at the Willaura Camp came from local Agribusiness company, Gorst Rural and one of their generous suppliers, Farm Balance.
Gorst Rural’s Willaura Branch Manager, Mick Murray, praised the work of BlazeAid volunteers.
He said their efforts had been amazing and that feedback from farmers had been overwhelmingly positive.
He added that it wasn’t till the camp came to the district that he really understood how much Blazeaid’s help was appreciated and valued.
It was fitting therefore, that support should be given in return.
BlazeAid has set up another camp at Nhill after the Little Dessert Park fire, and there are numerous ones operating in Queensland following the flooding there.
Some of the BlazeAid equipment has been taken to Queensland, and the rest will be stored locally.
The Willaura volunteers will disperse, but their kind commitment to helping local farmers after yet another fire roared out of the national park will always be remembered with fondness and gratitude.
Lynden and Amy Brewis and their families were impacted by both the 2006 Mt Lubra fire and the recent Yarram Gap one.
“We’ve met with some wonderful people who have helped lift our spirits in tough times. We wouldn’t have made anywhere near as much progress without them and cannot thank them enough for their support,” they said.
David and Megan Laidlaw’s farm was also burnt out in the Mt Lubra and Yarram Gap fires.
“The BlazeAid volunteers were invaluable for us. They were hardworking, cheerful and knowledgeable. It was heartening and reassuring to know that in difficult times there were good people out there willing to help those who’d been so badly affected by wildfire,” Megan said.
“We barely knew where to start, but they were there straight away saying, ‘What can we do to help?’.
“They showed that despite some of the awful times being experienced globally and here in Australia, there are still communities that can work together in a positive, fantastic way,” she said.
Read More: Willaura