Grey nomads have a huge role in BlazeAid.
The BlazeAid group, which organises grey nomads and other volunteers to help out in country areas hit by bushfire, drought or flood, has been awarded the Order of the Outback.
The bi-annual award presented by the Burke Shire, in Queensland’s Gulf country, honours those who enrich the lives of people in the Outback.
At special awards ceremony in front of 160 guests, Burk Shire mayor, Ernie Camp, said the organisation had ‘gone above and beyond in giving a helping hand when it’s most needed’.
‘BlazeAid has tapped into the spirit of the Outback,” he said. “With volunteers spread far and wide helping farmers and graziers to return to normal operations after fire and flood.”
The ABC reports that BlazeAid has recently switched its focus from the drought in Queensland to Tasmania, where three camps are rebuilding fences after severe floods.
“In the last 12 months, I’ve done 55,000 kilometres, just dealing with natural disasters in Australia,” Barry Thompson, a veteran volunteer from Mt Gambier, told the ABC. “But we’re here for a reason … there’s a lot of people out there that need a lot of help and we’re endeavouring to do that.”
Since BlazeAid formed, after bush fires ravaged part of Victoria in 2009, volunteers have built an estimated 5,600 kilometres of fences.
Mr Thompson said one of the things that really does stuck out for him was the friendships that volunteers formed as they worked. “I think they’re getting a lot out of it,” Mr Thompson said. “To see the camaraderie and fun that’s being had out on the fence line and also, getting significant metres of fencing done per day.”
* Have you been part of the BlazeAid effort? Do you volunteer in other ways as you travel? Comment below.
We volunteered at Dunkeld in Qld, after flooding damaged fencing, A worthwhile organisation for an award and all the volunteers who give their time.