BLAZEAid is looking for Gannawarra farmers to help in the wake of the recent flood crisis.
Its volunteers helped clean up the devastating impact on Benjeroop farmer Lindsay Schultz’s property.
“We had total wipeout – we didn’t lose the house or sheds, but 98 per cent of the farm went under and we lost all of our crops and hay,” Mr Schultz told the Gannawarra Times.
But last week, BlazeAid, the natural disaster recovery organisation, helped Mr Schultz with cleaning up flood debris.
“What they did in a day would take us weeks to do, and that’s if we even got around to doing it at all,” he said.
BlazeAid has been in the Gannawarra for a few weeks at the invitation of Gannawarra Shire Council.
BlazeAid co-ordinator Simon Hardy said that while it had completed about 28 jobs for community members so far, he thought others were yet to come forward for assistance.
“We believe there are lots of farmers out there that haven’t asked for help yet, and if they don’t ask for help soon, and we haven’t got enough work to keep us going, BlazeAid will put a stake in the ground and say OK, we are closing on this date, and whatever we can get done before that date we will do, but that’s it,” Mr Hardy said.
“BlazeAid doesn’t like pulling out when there is work still to be done, but if we are not told about it, we just can’t do it.”
BlazeAid’s priorities in Gannawarra Shire repair are stock containment and boundary fencing, while assisting with property clean-up efforts, such as removing fallen fences and debris.
“The farmer is basically responsible for providing the materials and putting in the end-strainer posts, and then we fill in between basically,” Mr Hardy said.
“We clean up old fence, get rid of that and roll it up, we get logs and grass off fences, all those sorts of jobs as well.”
Mr Schultz said he had already recommended BlazeAid to a number of local landholders.
“Anybody that doesn’t put their hand up, they’re a fool – they are willing to help and they are good workers,” Mr Schultz said.
“People don’t really like to be putting their hand out all the time, but they are there and they are willing to help and they get enjoyment out of helping.”
Mr Hardy is hoping that anyone else who needs BlazeAid’s assistance will come forward and ask for help so they can help the community as best they can while they are here.
“We really need to let the community know that if they want help, they need to let us know – we want to help everybody that we possibly can,” Mr Hardy said.
To register for recovery assistance or to volunteer, call Mr Hardy on 0407 160 016 or visit blazeaid.com.au/kerang-vic-2023
