Organisation working together

Organisations work together to make things better

 
The great thing about all service organizations and clubs is that they all have one  thing in common. They want to help!
We in Rotary are a dedicated and like-minded group of individuals that want nothing more than to be able to help where and when help is needed.
But we need to keep in mind that we are not alone in that sentiment and that there are other groups, both large and small, that seek to achieve the same noble outcomes for those members of our communities that find themselves in dire need of assistance through no fault of their own.

 
 
As we all know that recently the South Burnett region, along many other regions around the country had to experience heavy rains, and the resultant flooding that followed.
And as always, farmers were in the firing line, and they experienced devastation and serious damaging to crops, livestock fencing and infrastructure all due to the flood water.
Luckily, they had Blaze Aid to come to their assistance. And together with thousands of volunteers from all over Australia they started to put thing right
 
Out of the ashes of Black Saturday 2009 came an urgent need for fences to be rebuilt and communities restored.
 
Kilmore East farmers, Kevin and Rhonda Butler, were among those whose fences were burnt. Needing to quickly secure their 1,500 sheep, they sought assistance from family, friends and local volunteers to help rebuild their fences.
Within a week, the fences were completed – a task that would have taken them months to do on their own. Grateful for the assistance they received, Rhonda and Kevin decided to try to help a few others with their fencing.
 
Thus, BlazeAid was born.
 
Since the devastation of the Black Saturday bushfires on 8th February 2009, thousands of long- and short-term BlazeAid volunteers have come to help rebuild fences for the bush fire survivors. Our volunteers have come from all parts of Australia, as well as New Zealand, Switzerland, England, Afghanistan, Canada, Germany, Austria, America and France.
 
Working tirelessly but cheerfully alongside the bushfire survivors, we have rebuilt over 400 km of fences in areas including Kilmore East, Kinglake, Kinglake West, Pheasant Creek, St Andrews, Strathewen, Flowerdale, Wandong, Mt Disappointment, Glenburn, Murrundindi and Clonbinane. In addition, we’ve helped to remove hundreds of kilometres of damaged fencing, removed fallen trees from fence-lines, helped with gardening projects, and even built the odd chook shed or two.
 
By lending a hand in true Aussie style, BlazeAid volunteers not only built fences, but helped to restore the spirits of fire survivors who lost family and friends, pets, stock, homes and property to the inferno. The survivors we assisted are extremely grateful for the work, support and friendship of BlazeAid’s volunteers.
BlazeAid’s work over these many months could not have been achieved without the generosity of the many donors, sponsors, volunteer groups, individuals and businesses who have assisted us with tools and equipment, food, accommodation and billeting, transport and hands-on support in the fire zones. We are extremely grateful for their wonderful support and thank them most sincerely.
 
Rotarians have responded to the call for assistance as well. Over the years  we have supplied hot meals to tired volunteers and shared some fellowship with them. We shall probably do so again in the future
This time it was a load of bottled drinking water so that they don’t become dehydrated while out in the paddocks. Its summer and its hot out there!
Its mateship at its best and helping the battlers out there is what we do