Lucy Barbour, Tuesday September 10, 2013 - 13:46 EST
Grey nomads made up 75 per cent of the 3,500 Blazeaid volunteers who helped farmers rebuild fences and clean up property damage after floods and fires in eastern Australia last summer. - ABC
More than 3,500 people volunteered to help farmers rebuild fences after fires and floods on Australia's east coast last summer.
The BlazeAid organisation has released the numbers of all those who've assisted since the fires in Tasmania, New South Wales and Victoria, and the floods in Queensland.
BlazeAid's Mary Howarth says 75 per cent of volunteers were grey nomads.
"So altogether they did 29,670 volunteer days and that's absolutely incredible," she said.
"And the numbers of properties worked on was 810.
"And the fencing cleared was 1,350 kilometres, and rebuilt is 1460 kilometres, so that's a lot of work."
- ABC
Dunmowin said
03:12 AM Sep 11, 2013
My GN brother and his wife volunteered in Tassy. He was fencing, she was preparing lunches etc. They said it was a great experience as part of their GN life.
Gerty Dancer said
03:53 PM Sep 11, 2013
Basically there aren't many in the community who can devote big chunks of time and effort to volunteering like that except retirees. Its a privilege.
brickies said
04:25 PM Sep 11, 2013
How many of our forum member are Blaze Aid Volunteers and what is required of you
Captain said
06:13 AM Nov 11, 2013
My wife and I are BlazeAid volunteers and so far we have done 3 camps, including cyclone damage, flood damage and bushfire damage. It's a very rewarding experience and we've made many new friendships. If you want to know more, check out their website at www.blazeaid.com.au
The founder of BlazeAid, Kevin Butler (and his wife Rhonda) has recently issued his 2013 President's Report which makes very interesting reading.
2013 stats are: 14 base camps over four states; 3,506 volunteers put in 29,696 volunteer person working days; 810 farming and rural properties were helped; 1,349 km fencing was cleared and 1,460 km of fencing was completely re-built.
Since 2009 when BlazeAid was formed, up to $20 million worth of natural disaster recovery assistance for rural people has been completed by the volunteers.
There's no active camps at the moment but when they do open, give it a go, you'll love it.
beiffe said
04:42 PM Nov 11, 2013
Been involved with Blazeaid since 2009 after the Victorian Fires.
There are many jobs that are covered in Blazeaid.
If you are breathing then there is a job for you.
Fencing rural properties are the main ideal but the motto of blazeaid is
"Australians helping other Australians in times of Disasters"
You can be involved in the office work at the base, be a gopher getting supplies and food, maintain tools, cook food, talk to the farmers to lift their spirits and then there is the work on the farms such as fencing, clearing trees to enable them to bear fruit and many other little jobs to help the farmers on the road to recovery.
If you decide to stop and lend a hand I can assure you you will extend your stay and have the most rewqarding time of your life. The work can be hard but that is up to you as you are asked to do only what you are comfortable and within your skills but there is nothing like learning something new and the satisfaction you receive will soon make to sore muscles fade away.
The day routine starts with a cooked breakfast and then the morning safety talk (sermon LOL) and then you head off to a farm for the days work. You are normally given a mid day meal prepared by the farmer if it is possible and then return to the camp for the nightly meal and a socal get together before an early night.
The local charities in the area are paid to feed the volunteers for the night meal and this puts finance back into the local community.
You will be offered camping at the local base free of charge and you will be fed whilst there so it is a good way to have a great time and save a few bob at the same time.
As others have said visit http://blazeaid.com.au/ for further information and keep a check on the site for bases as they open up.
Grey nomads are biggest BlazeAid volunteers
Lucy Barbour, Tuesday September 10, 2013 - 13:46 EST
More than 3,500 people volunteered to help farmers rebuild fences after fires and floods on Australia's east coast last summer.
The BlazeAid organisation has released the numbers of all those who've assisted since the fires in Tasmania, New South Wales and Victoria, and the floods in Queensland.
BlazeAid's Mary Howarth says 75 per cent of volunteers were grey nomads.
"So altogether they did 29,670 volunteer days and that's absolutely incredible," she said.
"And the numbers of properties worked on was 810.
"And the fencing cleared was 1,350 kilometres, and rebuilt is 1460 kilometres, so that's a lot of work."
- ABC
My GN brother and his wife volunteered in Tassy. He was fencing, she was preparing lunches etc. They said it was a great experience as part of their GN life.
My wife and I are BlazeAid volunteers and so far we have done 3 camps, including cyclone damage, flood damage and bushfire damage. It's a very rewarding experience and we've made many new friendships. If you want to know more, check out their website at www.blazeaid.com.au
The founder of BlazeAid, Kevin Butler (and his wife Rhonda) has recently issued his 2013 President's Report which makes very interesting reading.
2013 stats are: 14 base camps over four states; 3,506 volunteers put in 29,696 volunteer person working days; 810 farming and rural properties were helped; 1,349 km fencing was cleared and 1,460 km of fencing was completely re-built.
Since 2009 when BlazeAid was formed, up to $20 million worth of natural disaster recovery assistance for rural people has been completed by the volunteers.
There's no active camps at the moment but when they do open, give it a go, you'll love it.
Been involved with Blazeaid since 2009 after the Victorian Fires.
There are many jobs that are covered in Blazeaid.
If you are breathing then there is a job for you.
Fencing rural properties are the main ideal but the motto of blazeaid is
"Australians helping other Australians in times of Disasters"
You can be involved in the office work at the base, be a gopher getting supplies and food, maintain tools, cook food, talk to the farmers to lift their spirits and then there is the work on the farms such as fencing, clearing trees to enable them to bear fruit and many other little jobs to help the farmers on the road to recovery.
If you decide to stop and lend a hand I can assure you you will extend your stay and have the most rewqarding time of your life. The work can be hard but that is up to you as you are asked to do only what you are comfortable and within your skills but there is nothing like learning something new and the satisfaction you receive will soon make to sore muscles fade away.
The day routine starts with a cooked breakfast and then the morning safety talk (sermon LOL) and then you head off to a farm for the days work. You are normally given a mid day meal prepared by the farmer if it is possible and then return to the camp for the nightly meal and a socal get together before an early night.
The local charities in the area are paid to feed the volunteers for the night meal and this puts finance back into the local community.
You will be offered camping at the local base free of charge and you will be fed whilst there so it is a good way to have a great time and save a few bob at the same time.
As others have said visit http://blazeaid.com.au/ for further information and keep a check on the site for bases as they open up.
Regards
Brian