AFTER a bushfire, there\u2019s a group that gets approached by councils to respond to needs on the ground, especially for farmers.<\/p>\n
The volunteer organisation is called BlazeAid, setting up camps in rural areas, rounding up proactive helpers, rebuilding fences and emotionally supporting the local communities impacted.<\/p>\n
After the recent fire at Lexton, BlazeAid was called to action. Bruce Hindson, a volunteer who travelled down from the Mallee, became camp coordinator at the site just before Christmas.<\/p>\n
\u201cI liaise with farmers, run the camp, do the finances… Get assistance with the kitchen that needs running and the volunteers that need feeding,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause resources are limited, we\u2019ve got the Lions Club assisting us and they\u2019ll get a roster going with other service clubs and take it in turns to feed the volunteers, so it becomes a community effort there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Over 120 people have been through the camp so far, from near and further afield.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe volunteers are from all over. We\u2019ve got a French fireman out here… Backpackers… Grey nomads,\u201d Mr Hindson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome come and spend a day and go, some spend a couple of days and some spend weeks there, so it\u2019s a variety.\u201d<\/p>\n
He emphasised that BlazeAid might seem, on the surface, to just be about re-establishing fences, but there\u2019s much more to the initiative.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou might find that a farmer looks at [the land] and all he can see is ruin, and that can be daunting. It\u2019s aiding the community to get back on its feet, not just about building fences,\u201d Mr Hindson said.<\/p>\n
There are BlazeAid camps opening in Gippsland and north east Victoria that will need volunteers and quality donated items.<\/p>\n
But the Lexton fire was of a different nature, and hands have been needed more than goods.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt mainly affected farmlands, whereas some of the other fires have affected people\u2019s homes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople want to bring gifts and goods, but BlazeAid at this camp, we don\u2019t need clothing and blankets. It varies from fire to fire, so as much as we appreciate it, it needs to be directed to the right places.\u201d<\/p>\n
Based out of Kilmore, BlazeAid rose from Black Saturday\u2019s ashes.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s purely a charity, it runs on donations. Kevin Butler got burnt out in 2009, he was a farmer, people came to help him, and he thought, \u2018I need to help other farmers,\u2019 and that\u2019s how it started,\u201d Mr Hindson said.<\/p>\n