As some of the 'oldies' know I have been on the road with my Border Collies for quite a while. I am currently at Palmerston about 25km south of Darwin and will be heading off south again back to show my dogs at Sydney Royal. I have decided to leave the van here and travel with my swag, travelling light, as they say. Have not decided if I will go to Sydney via SA or QLD. Have thought of doing a few days helping with Blaze Aid, as I am not too bad at fencing, along the way.
Any of you GN's along the track keep an eye out for the bird with the Borders and a swag, and say 'hello', I don't bite and neither do my dogs
Allara if you let us know which way you travel I can let you know the blazeaid sites that are going now.
There is three more being set up in QLD (one is starting tomorrow)
Check the website www.blazeaid.com
I wish more nomads would volunteer to this organization as the work is not only valuable to help the farmers get back to production (they cant get their stock back till they have good fences again) but it is an experience you will never forget.
Just be warned it is a bit addictive as many of us have been returning since the fires in 2009 at Kilmore.
Any money donated is used only for tools and office supplies and the morning meal for the workers. NO BODY gets any money for working for Blazeaid.
You get a place to stay with the group you are working with at a base site. You are supplied a morning meal by Blazeaid and the farmers usually supply the mid day meal if they have a home left.
Blazeaid supply mid day meal if the farmers can't and then a local group supply a full meal at night when you return to base.
There are all sorts of jobs for all people. Fencing is only one, there is moral support for those affected as well as food preparation and cleaning the base as well as answering phones and doing office work.
Accommodation is often available for people who arrive in a car so if you wish to spend some time and there is usually shared accommodation and often the farmers offer accommodation in their homes.
Often one of a couple may go fencing while the partner may stay at the base working or just relaxing if needed.
You work at your pace when you want and you can have a day off as often as you require but many love the work and fellowship that much that they come for a few days and stay for weeks and months.
Sorry for long post but i feel that this is one organisation that the community does get the value for dollar and I am a long time volunteer here, so I suppose I have got a bias.
Regards Brian
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11 Mtr house Boat based at Mannum hoping to travel up the Murray as far as I can get then drift back again
I appreciate describing what happens with Blazeaid. It sounds like a great experience. I would love to volunteer and might be in a position to one day. Hard because it is usually a hot time of year and dogs in a Hiace is a worry in heat. I gave up trying to fence years ago but good to know they need office help etc.
I think we will still be working through the winter as we did in 2009. We finished in end of September by memory.
Your dogs will be fine as they can be with you around the camp or you can put them in the shade during the day. Often people take their dogs onto the job. they just need to check with the owners and ensure they can be controlled around stock and other people.
Regards Brian
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11 Mtr house Boat based at Mannum hoping to travel up the Murray as far as I can get then drift back again
If you come by Biggenden Qld, PM me before you get here. Will gladly give you somewhere to park up on your way through.
Hey HW I thought you were at Eucha. How are you enjoying the MH/camper, what did you end up calling 'her'?
Everyone
I will most likely travel down through Coober Pedy etc and try to help at the Yass base, go to Sydney for the Royal and head up QLD after that. Should be able to help up north as well.
I have been helping with fencing up here in the NT for a little while as well as joining the Rural Fire Brigade. I will certainly PM all of you kind people offering a cuppa and a chat along the way to find out where you are. I will be calling in at Canberra to see my dog breeder, check out if Gerty Dancer is around and see if msq is about.
I will be heading off about 10th March .
Thank you everybody, for your support - life can get a bit lonley now and then, so nice to have people to talk to.
