What is BlazeAid, and why has it set up camp near Gellibrand?

Retirees Judith and Max Robbins live near Lake Macquarie in NSW, but on this late February morning they find themselves in Kawarren, 10 minutes from Gellibrand township.

The Robbins are donating their time in what you might describe as the volunteer fencing space. 

On the road: For a decade the pair have travelled around the country helping out with BlazeAid, a charity dedicated to rebuilding fences destroyed by fire.

Following January’s devastating Otways bushfire, paddock fencing across the district was left extensively damaged, and materials and labour for repairs don’t come cheap.

They’ve set up camp at Kawarren’s Echidna House, a community space reminiscent of a town hall, often used for Sunday markets and other local get-togethers.

Mobile set-up: With portable showers, toilets, caravans, a kitchen inside the hall and portable sleeping pods set up outside, the camp is near farms that need assistance with a rebuild.

“Once a fire's been through a fence, the wire's no good. It's dangerous,” Judith told the West Vic Brolga. 

So far, 18 people have sought assistance, which will require about 100km of new fencing to be installed. 

“All of the fences are pulled down, cleared and rebuilt to what they require,” Judith said.

The long haul: Judith is the camp coordinator, and the couple may be at Echidna House until April if they can’t boost volunteer numbers, or new requests arrive.

“A lot of farmers do not insure their fences,” Judith said. “They think they're insured, but fencing is a separate policy altogether.”

It’s tiring work, as posts must be carried, holes dug out, posts shoved in place, levelled and wired.

Those seeking assistance need to provide the materials for the fencing, which means the volunteers aren’t lugging fence posts and wiring to the farms.

“BlazeAid provides the labour, which is about half the cost of rebuilding a fence,” Judith said. “So if they have limited funds, then you can go twice as far if you take up BlazeAid’s offer.”

Many hands = light work: At previous camps, Judith said they’d had up to 60 volunteers. The Otways team currently has six. With 100km of fencing to rebuild, the Robbins would be delighted to hear from anyone who is able to chip in.

“We have camping facilities … and all your meals are provided, [including] morning and afternoon tea,” Judith said.

Volunteers can see where the current BlazeAid camps are set up here.