General News
27 March, 2023
BlazeAid puts out call for locals to lend a hand
Volunteer shortages are not an uncommon story in the region, with BlazeAid currently calling for more helping hands to assist with flood clean up in the Pyrenees Shire. The camp was set up in Moonambel last year to help locals with impacts of the...
Volunteer shortages are not an uncommon story in the region, with BlazeAid currently calling for more helping hands to assist with flood clean up in the Pyrenees Shire.
The camp was set up in Moonambel last year to help locals with impacts of the widespread October flooding, but currently there are only four volunteers at the camp — and only two can do the physical work.
“We need volunteers — just anybody that can spare any time,” BlazeAid camp coordinator Mike Roberts said.
“They can come for a day, they can come and go on a daily basis. Ideally we’d love them to be here for a week or more, but it’s entirely up to what people can do.”
BlazeAid is a volunteer-based organisation that works with families and individuals in rural areas after natural disasters such as fires and floods, including rebuilding fences and other structures.
The group has helped out in the region before, fixing up fences around Lexton following the 2019 Lexton-Ben Major Bushfire.
This time around the BlazeAid crew has been helping the Moonambel and surrounds communities re-fence paddocks.
“Over the last three months there’s been quiet periods where there’s been few volunteers and then there’s been large groups,” Mr Roberts said.
“I think at one stage there were more than a dozen people here. So I’m hoping that we get more volunteers in and the more people that come in, the more work we can get through.”
Mr Roberts said the benefits of volunteering to the individual and the community are huge.
“It’s great to volunteer, I think there’s this huge satisfaction in knowing that you’ve helped somebody that’s gone through a disaster,” he said.
“The people we work with are very, very appreciative because we’re getting things done, we’re getting fences back up so they can contain their animals on their own properties.
“At the end of each day you feel as though you’ve really achieved something. You’ve made people happy, you’ve made life a bit easier for some.”
BlazeAid volunteer Lorraine Cain agrees, urging everyone to come down for just one day of volunteering.
“I love volunteering and when you hear some of the stories, some of these guys are really struggling and helping them makes you feel fantastic,” she said.
“I’d like to ask everyone to just come out and do a day. Don’t say you can’t do anything, you can come out and help in one way or another.”
To volunteer with BlazeAid at Moonambel, contact Debbie Butler on 0418 990 267 or email moonambel@blazeaid.com.au
The crew is set up at the Moonambel Recreation Reserve with camping available.
For more information visit www.blazeaid.com.au/moonambel