Blaze Aid volunteers will be helping to repair flood-damaged fencing in the South Burnett
(Photo: BlazeAid)

February 7, 2013

BlazeAid  is coming back to the South Burnett to help farmers mend the many fences destroyed by the Australia Day weekend floods.

South Burnett councillor Kathy Duff announced at last Friday night’s opening at the Wondai Art Gallery that the SBRC had managed to secure the services of the volunteers to assist in the local area after the latest round of flooding.

She said BlazeAid had been of tremendous assistance to local farmers after the 2011 floods.

The Salvation Army will be co-ordinating meals for the visitors but she hoped other groups could also help.

The BlazeAid volunteers will be based Murgon.

“Bunya Wakka Wakka have donated their building to be used as BlazeAid’s head quarters. This is a great location, directly across from IGA and just up from the caravan park, where a lot of the volunteers will be staying,” Cr Kathy Duff said.

BlazeAid was started in Victoria after the Black Saturday Fires in 2009. They have spent the past three years helping mend fences caused by natural disasters.

“BlazeAid helped our farmers after the 2011 floods and we are thankful to have them return to the region to help with the damage caused by the Australia Day weekend floods,” Cr Duff said.

In 2011 BlazeAid assisted 35 South Burnett properties and completed 583 days of work with 109 registered volunteers.

“South Burnett Regional Council will be co-ordinating the fencing work and assessing when farmers are ready for BlazeAid’s assistance,” Cr Duff said.

The BlazeAid group would love more volunteers to help with fencing. If you would like to volunteer contact Council on (07) 4189-9104.

Doreen Campos from the Salvation Army is co-ordinating the meals for the volunteers. If you would like to help with meals phone Doreen on (07) 4168-1916. Meals can be donated at Clifton Motors in Murgon.

If you require Blaze Aid’s assistance phone South Burnett Regional Council on (07) 4189-9104.