Return for training

DISASTER Relief Australia workers have returned to a Korweinguboora property almost twelve months to the day since they were last there, but for less urgent purposes this time.

Charles Hall’s backyard was covered in fallen lumber when Disaster Relief Australia came to help out following the storms of 2021.

While there’s still a bit of wood left, this time around they were just there for training.

Pete Jones is 2IC and logistics manager for the group’s Victorian operations, and said Korweinguboora was a great place for Disaster Relief Australia to train.

“Today we’re just running a first-level chainsaw course, which is trim and cross cut, operation and maintenance of saws, we’ll do some pole sawing as well,” Mr Jones said.

“We’ve got three operations in Victoria. We wrapped up in Rochester, we went to Ararat, and we did the fires in Pomonal, Dadswells Bridge, and Beaufort, funded by Emergency Recovery Victoria.

“It’s awesome having places like Charles’ backyard to train, these sorts of courses with lots of wood to chop up are great.

“We’ll chop them up for firewood and get some solid training in. It’s good for Charles and good for us.”

Mr Hall said it’s a pleasure to help Disaster Relief Australia out.

“It’s helping not only myself but others,” he said. “I’ve got some friends here who’ve been doing the work because I can’t anymore.

“With the restrictions in the bush, these guys can’t go into the bush to train. So they’re welcome to come to my property.”