After bushfires, floods or other natural disasters rural communities often need a hand to get back on their feet. Blaze Aid volunteers are hard at work across Australia providing labour and emotional support - one fence at a time.
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Blaze Aid is a volunteer-based organisation that works with people in rural Australia to rebuild after natural disasters. Working alongside families, volunteers camp in towns to help to rebuild fences and other structures damaged or destroyed by flood or fire.
Brad Parker from Blaze Aid said for farmers fences were an important tool.
"[Farmers] can't do anything without fences, they can't keep stock under control," he said.
The hard-working volunteer said people whose livelihood depended on the land were "mentally knocked about" by destruction of their property.
He said Blaze Aid was mainly about getting boots on the ground to mentally support farmers and let them know they aren't alone.
Blaze Aid emerged from the ashes of the 2009 Black Saturday fires in Victoria. Sheep farmers Kevin and Rhonda Butler started the charity after fire destroyed fences in the region. A small ad put in the local paper, calling out for help, sparked the initiative. Flash forward 10 years and the charity runs nationwide fully funded by donations.
"A lot of people don't have fences insured," Mr Parker said.
Blaze Aid provides a free camping site and all meals are supplied.
Mr Parker said when you call to say you will attend a camp "all we wanna know is if you will be coming for dinner."
Volunteers come from far and wide he said, from "citified grey-nomads" to "a high school kid on a gap year."
The charity helps volunteers learn practical skills while they help people in need.
"Thanks means bloody hell of a lot."
Mr Parker urged people to "keep the farmers in mind" during the coming months.
"Have a think about jumping into a caravan and heading to a Blaze Aid camp," he said.
"We provide labour and emotional support."
Head to blazeaid.com.au for more information and to check out upcoming camps.
