General News
3 March, 2024
Help under way for fire-stricken locals
Wednesday's catastrophic fire danger warning for the Wimmera - the second inside two weeks - has put emergency support on hold for recent Wimmera fire victims.
Wednesday's catastrophic fire danger warning for the Wimmera - the second inside two weeks - has put emergency support on hold for recent Wimmera fire victims.
But BlazeAid has pledged that work at Dadswells Bridge and Pomonal will have priority when a Wimmera camp is set up at Halls Gap this week and volunteers assigned.
Blaze Aid is an organisation of volunteers who step in to help people anywhere across Australia who have suffered severe damage from natural disasters including fires, cyclones, floods and droughts.
The volunteer aid group is calling for people needing help with stock-retaining fencing to register with BlazeAid by midday on Monday on 0402 268 619 or by emailing HallsGap@Blazeaid.com.au
Camp coordinator Jenny Neumann said a BlazeAid volunteer would then follow up with the property owner to determine action required.
Mrs Neumann, a retired university administrator, and husband Sam, also retired and a BlazeAid volunteer, invite people to attend a barbecue and information night on Saturday March 9 from 6pm at the camp location.
"It will be an opportunity to learn about the work of BlazeAid, how we fit into your community and an opportunity to meet some of our volunteers," she said.
She asked people wanting to attend to phone or email before noon next Friday.
Fires on February 13 - a declared catastrophic fire danger day and the first in four years - destroyed 46 homes in Pomonal and one at Dadswells Bridge.
Ms Neumann said earlier this week by phone from her Geelong home that it was disappointing to delay the start of work in the area but volunteer safety trumped the need to immediately start repairs on fire-damaged property.
"Many are retired and older people and we're responsible for their safety," she said.
"And a week's delay keeps us out of the way of emergency services personnel who do not need us hindering their work."
Ms Neumann said plans now were for BlazeAid officials to arrive at Halls Gap on Monday, start on Tuesday to set up a camp for up to 80, before calling for volunteers with teams with work to start on Friday.
It also meant coordinating with two municipalities, Horsham Rural City and Northern Grampians, as well as CFA captains for both areas.
Ms Neumann said most volunteers took their own caravans to sites but a central "safe place" venue was needed which had a large kitchen for catering and serving three meals daily, as well as facilities for meetings, placing technical and other equipment, and showers and toilets.
She encouraged people to update their information by checking BlazeAid's Facebook page or website blazeaid.com.au
Information would also be on an Ararat Residents Page and Halls Gap Community and Visitors page.
CFA District 17 acting chief officer Mark Gunning said the outpouring of support from nearby communities since the fires had been "unbelievable".
"Locals supporting locals has been absolutely outstanding," he said.
CFA deputy chief officer Brett Bowman urged people to remain vigilant as dry fuel remained a hazard.
He said it was fortunate the Dadswells Bridge and Pomonal fires had not breached containment lines, but remained concerned about "the fire we haven’t had yet”.
Australian BlazeAid has established 21 base camps with 36,987 volunteers registered since it was formed in 2009 after the Victorian Black Saturday bushfires.
They have worked on 13,494 properties, cleared 17,964km of fences and built another 17,581km of fences.
Ms Neumann said fencing completed by BlazeAid volunteers would more than circle Australia.