{"id":220567,"date":"2018-10-17T16:05:36","date_gmt":"2018-10-17T06:05:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=220567"},"modified":"2020-07-27T12:47:57","modified_gmt":"2020-07-27T02:47:57","slug":"blazeaid-hits-the-ground-running","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2018\/10\/17\/blazeaid-hits-the-ground-running\/","title":{"rendered":"BlazeAid Hits The Ground Running"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
BlazeAid camp co-ordinator John Lillico chats with Hodgleigh resident Ann Boothroyd at her storm-damaged property<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

October 17, 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n

by Anne Miller<\/strong><\/p>\n

BlazeAid volunteers have hit the ground running, beginning work on storm-affected farms in the Coolabunia area on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

The handful of volunteers – more are on their way – split into teams to repair fencing at two farms badly hit by last week’s storms.<\/p>\n

While they were out working, BlazeAid veterans John Lillico (the camp co-ordinator) and Lynne Walters, from Nanango, began visiting other properties which had requested help to assess the level of assistance required.<\/p>\n

southburnett.com.au<\/strong> tagged along on one of these visits.<\/p>\n

As we passed along some of the back roads in the Coolabunia and Hodgleigh areas, the extent of Thursday’s storms quickly became apparent.<\/p>\n

Large trees in paddocks were tossed into heaps like matchsticks, or snapped in half.<\/p>\n

Paddocks were strewn with debris, including sheets of corrugated iron and bits and pieces of water tanks and silos.<\/p>\n

Many houses had plastic sheeting or wooden boards over their windows.<\/p>\n

One house appeared to have been shifted off its stumps.<\/p>\n

Farm sheds were partially collapsed, or had gaping holes in their walls.<\/p>\n

We passed one building where workers were busily re-affixing metal sheets to the roof, and others where there were still tarpaulins in place.<\/p>\n

Stormwater run-off had left deep ruts in gravel roads.<\/p>\n

Rock and Ann Boothroyd’s 140-acre property at Hodgleigh was just one of many in the area which suffered damage.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Eight windows in their home were smashed as well as all the plastic piping leading from their tanks.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, their roof stayed intact.<\/p>\n

However, large trees crashed across their driveway and there was also damage to their external fences.<\/p>\n

Ann said if it hadn’t been for parishioners from the Nanango Catholic parish, they would have been trapped on the property.<\/p>\n

“They spent the day here clearing the gateway so we could get out,” she said.<\/p>\n

BlazeAid won’t be able to help with the windows, but their volunteers will be able to help remove debris from the property and work on the broken fences.<\/p>\n

“Fences are always a priority,” Lynne said. “We want to fix the fences to stop the cattle getting out.”<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A badly damaged shed in the house yard at Rock and Ann Boothroyd’s Hodgleigh property<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Crumpled silos which were picked up and tossed by the storm on Reagon Road at Hodgleigh<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Piles of snapped trees and a damaged road sign on the D’Aguilar Highway at Coolabunia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Debris was strewn throughout the Coolabunia Saleyards, forcing their temporary closure … the main building on site also suffered damage from a fallen tree<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Fallen trees and a forest of trees stripped bare of every leaf at Coolabunia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A tangle of bare branches is all that is left in strips of bushland along the D’Aguilar Highway<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Properties along Bellbird Road were also hit badly by the storm … many fallen trees had to be removed from the road by Council workers and SES volunteers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The BlazeSid sign pointing the way to the camp near Kingaroy Airport … volunteers are not only welcome, they’re wanted!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

People who would like to volunteer to work on local properties, support the BlazeAid camp with donations, or register their property for assistance should contact John Lillico on 0484-145-732.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Related articles:<\/strong><\/p>\n