May 13, 2013
BlazeAid volunteers have completed work on half the 100 farms that registered for assistance after the January floods.
Since opening Murgon in February, the Blazeaid volunteers have cleaned 100km of fences, and repaired or replaced 85km.
Volunteers have provided farmers with 917 volunteer days of work at no cost.
However, any farmer who needs assistance and has not yet registered should do so as soon as possible.
New farm registrations will close on May 27, 2013.
BlazeAid co-ordinators Paul and Alison Mortenson said today they need final registration numbers to assess how much work remains to be undertaken.
“Any local groups who were planning to volunteer for a day or two over a weekend or on the school holidays should not delay any longer,” Paul said.
“Working with farmers in a BlazeAid team is one of life’s most rewarding experiences.
“If anyone wishes to join a BlazeAid team for ‘Clean Up Farms Day’ on Sunday, May 19, they must register with BlazeAid by 5:00pm on Thursday (May 16).”
Farm registrations and volunteering offers can be made to the South Burnett Regional Council by phoning (07) 4189-9104.
NB. BlazeAid would like to acknowledge the support that the South Burnett’s service clubs, church groups, Salvation Army, and many families and individuals have given to the volunteers since February 16.
Paul said he would like to make special mention of the Lions Club of Kingaroy who in 2011 donated $20,000 to BlazeAid.
“It is doubtful that if Lions Kingaroy had not supported BlazeAid in 2011 that we would be here today in 2013. So a big thank you to Lions,” he said.
“Much of the work that the service clubs and other volunteer groups undertake is unheralded and sometimes is taken for granted.”
