Blazing a trail to recovery

The mammoth recovery operation is estimated to draw between 20-60 volunteers to town at any one time over the next five months – all of them helping local farmers rebuild their properties after the February/March floods wreaked havoc on in the district.

The initiative comes under the auspices of BlazeAid - a volunteer-based organisation that provides practical assistance to farmers and families in regional Australia after natural disasters.

The volunteers come at the invitation of Young’s mayor Stuart Freudenstein who saw that the only way to recovery after the floods was to enlist outside help to get the farmers back on their feet.

Since then he has been responsible for enlisting the support of the local community to make the necessary support arrangements for the undertaking.

The local operation is being overseen by BlazeAid coordinators Cheryl YouKee and Jan Gursanscky who drove 530 kilometres to set up a dormitory-style camp over the weekend for the small army of volunteers who, at 7.15am today, will start work out at Bribbaree.

The two women met with the mayor, representatives of local service clubs and church groups at the Young Showground, where the operation will be based. Under the arrangement, the volunteers provide their own breakfast, farmers provide lunch and local organisations will cater evening meals.

“We must thank the community for supporting us so well and getting together – putting everything in place quite smoothly,” Cheryl said on Friday.

Each of the volunteers stationed in Young during the course of BlazeAid will work for a six day period on a rotational basis with five volunteers starting on 10 different farms this week. There’s an estimated 150 kilometres of damaged fences to be repaired.

It’s expected the ongoing project, which comes free to farmers, will make $2 million worth of repairs to properties in Young, Bribbaree and the surrounding district.

“It’s wonderful a group like this - people giving up their time to help out these farmers who have had a particularly rough time - good old Aussie volunteers helping out Aussies in need,” mayor Freudenstein said.

It’s the farmers who are most appreciative.

“The community is overwhelmingly supportive – from a farmer’s point of view we are so grateful,” said flood-affected farmer Pat Potbury.

But help is still needed.

BlazeAid founder, Kevin Butler, said there was a desperate need for rakes and garden forks to clear away debris from fences.

“We could buy our own but that would mean thousands of dollars in equipment, the more money we save the longer we can stay,” he said.

“We are not just rebuilding fences, but helping rebuild lives,” Mr Butler said.

Garden forks and rakes can be dropped off at the showground at any time or can be picked up by contacting Cheryl or Jan on the number below. Equipment with broken handles is also welcome, as it can be repaired.

Mr Butler said organising BlazeAid in Young has been easy with the support of mayor Freudenstein and deputy mayor John Drum.

“Stuart and John have been exemplary – so helpful,” he said, “and with local groups supplying meals to the volunteers – it’s a terrific community ethic.”

People with equipment are asked to contact Cheryl or Jan on 0439 085 553. Farmers requiring assistance from BlazeAid can register at www.blazeaid.com. Donations can also be made on the website.