23 Jan 2020

BlazeAid Brings Fencing Teams to Weary Farmers | The Southern Argus

The Southern Argus

BlazeAid teams are working to clear fire debris and rebuild fences across the district with a large team of volunteers from around the State and some from as far away a the Netherlands and the United States working on Hills properties.

BlazeAid Founder Kevin Butler said the response to the call for volunteers had been outstanding.

“Over 270 people are registered to work in the Cudlee Creek fireground repairing fences and other structures.”

“More than 150 farmers throughout the Hills with damaged or destroyed fencing have registered with BlazeAid to take in a fencing crew.”

Dan Cregan MP, Member for Kavel joined a fencing crew this week to help clear 2km of fence-line on a Hills cattle property.

“Our team included local volunteers and even the President of the Legislative Council, Andrew McLachlan MLC. We managed to get the job done before knockoff in fairly steep terrain,” Dan said. Kevin Butler said having the local member out on the fence-line was a boost for volunteers and weary farmers.

“Dan Cregan is putting his back into the recovery effort and I know that it means a lot to our crews and Hills property owners knowing he’s out there with us.”

Daily meals for the volunteers are being prepared by many local clubs including the Lions Club of Onkaparinga, Torrens Valley Lions Club, several churches throughout the Hills and the Mt Pleasant Men’s Shed.

Individual families are also pitching in to prepare meals.

Dan Cregan MP, Member for Kavel with the Hon Andrew McLachlan MLC, President of the Legislative Council and Father Thomas Karamakuzhiyil, Anglican Church of Mount Barker, with BlazeAid volunteers.