2016-08-18
Adrian Price
During the second week of January 2016, a lightning strike resulted in a devastating bushfire killing two persons, destroying approximately 180 homes and buildings, many thousands of hectares of farm land and hundreds of kilometres of farm fences.
At that time BlazeAid, a volunteer-based organisation that works with families and individuals in rural Australia after natural disasters such as fires and floods, was working in the Esperance district following their tragic fire.
On 5th February, BlazeAid was ready for volunteers to help farmers in the Waroona-Harvey Shires, the camp being based on the Waroona Showgrounds.
I spent four days in mid-March as a BlazeAid volunteer, camping in my small tent and had forgotten about the fierce gully winds which come down the Darling Scarp causing me to have to buy stronger tent pegs.
All meals were provided, in most cases by local townspeople, organisations and churches. Many shops also gave a discount to persons wearing BlazeAid identification.
All tools and safety equipment was provided for use by volunteers while working. Some farmers also used their own equipment if it had not been destroyed by the fire.
BlazeAid volunteers at Waroona were from all states, some having worked at other BlazeAid sites resulting from major fires or flooding. The average age at Waroona camp was 55yrs and at almost 78 I was the oldest. Those without fencing experience were usually allocated to removal of burnt out fencing and if they wished could learn to erect new fences. Each fence erection team was led by an experienced fencer after discussion with the farmer as to the type of fence required. Farmers provided fencing materials and in some cases this resulted in a delay in starting the project.
There may have been delays regarding insurance payout, or farmers having to borrow money for fencing materials. Some farmers were clearly still in a state of shock, perhaps unsure whether to move or rebuild and therefore had not yet applied for assistance. Ten weeks after the fire, farmers were still approaching BlazeAid for assistance. BlazeAid had enough emergency fencing to keep them in the district until the end of April, provided sufficient volunteers were available.
Depending on the type of work, a team usually comprised 2-6 persons with a trained leader. Most teams had a specialised trailer containing the main tools for the work we were doing. There was no pressure to work beyond your “comfort zone”. Apart from having difficulty climbing over some of the draining ditches, I had no problems but there was always a helping hand.
Arriving back at camp each evening, after a shower and change of clothes, many of us sat in the shade of a tree with a cold drink in hand and chatted about many things including the experiences of that day. We then moved in to the hall for dinner. After dinner, Camp Coordinator Brian Carr asked for reports by each team leader or a deputised person. This helped to heighten our awareness that each day had made a big step towards recovery by a number of farmers. Brian Carr also requested of volunteers that they recommend help from an experienced counsellor to farmers who were struggling emotionally. In some cases farmers were invited to have dinner with us at the camp.
During the six weeks from 5th Feb – 17th March the progress data was as follows:
- Number of Volunteers: 187
- Properties registered for assistance: 106 (and rising)
- Properties where work has commenced: 82 or 77%
- Properties where work is finished: 39 or 36%
- Volunteer days: 1176
- Fences cleared: 113.2 km
- Fences rebuilt: 112.7 km
- Average age of volunteers: 55 yrs.
It is likely that these statistics had doubled by the end of April (except the average age!).
During the Boyup Brook Country Music Festival on 20th February, the Combined Churches of Boyup Brook held a second-hand book sale in the grounds of St Saviours Anglican Church. $2,055.30 was raised and has already been sent to BlazeAid.
BlazeAid slogan is:
“Not just rebuilding fences, but helping rebuild lives”
Photos: Header - The BlazeAid work trailer; The BlazeAid camp, Waroona Adrian Price