HOPE FROM THE ASHES

Out of the ashes of the Black Saturday fires of 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 burned. 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. Their 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, they have rebuilt over 400km 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, they’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 chicken house or two. By lending a hand in true Aussie style, BlazeAid volunteers have not only built fences, but helped to restore the spirits of fire survivors who lost family and friends, pets, livestock, homes and property to the inferno. The survivors they’ve assisted are extremely grateful for the work, support and friendship of BlazeAid’s volunteers. (Reading text adapted from blazeaid)