Blazeaid is starting new camps to help out following the recent bushfires across the south eastern states:

Laharum, Vic. (Grampians) from 5th Feb

Palmer, South Aus from 5th Feb

& highly likely a basecamp will be set up at Stockinbingal, NSW (n-w of Cootamundra) in mid-February.

For those that aren't familiar:

From the BlazeAid site

"BlazeAid is a volunteer-based organisation that works with families and individuals in rural Australia after natural disasters such as fires and floods. Working alongside the rural families, oue volunteers help to rebuild fences that have been damaged or destroyed. 

Equally important, volunteers also help to lift the spirits of people who are often facing their second or third flood event after years of drought, or devastating losses through bushfires. BlazeAid volunteers work in a disaster-affected area for many months, not only helping individuals and families, but also helping rebuild the local communities."

Volunteer information:

You don't need any fencing experience, just a willingness to give it a go and learn on the job. You can volunteer for a day or two, or a week or more. Simply contact the Camp Coordinator a few days before you're ready to come to the basecamp.

Fencing isn't only "men's work" and age is no barrier. Over one third of the previous BlazeAid volunteers - Black Saturday 2009 and Cyclone Yasi and Floods 2011 and 2012 - were ladies. Many of our long-term volunteers are in their 50s and 60s, with other volunteers aged from teens to their 80s.

Not all of the fencing involves heavy work. Many fences need to be cleared of debris before they can be stood up and rebuilt. For new fences, the wires need to be run through the holes in the posts, and posts need to be held in place while the sighting is done.

Accommodation at basecamps

There is plenty of space for you to bring your own caravan, motorhome, swag or tent. All sites have toilets and hot showers.

Accommodation for volunteers who don't have a caravan, tent, etc, varies at the different basecamps. Please ask the Camp Coordinator for more details about the basecamp you're going to.  If you have a swag, camp stretcher, inflatable mattress, etc, please bring it with you. You will also need to bring pillows, sheets, blankets, etc.

Please remember that we are working in disaster areas, so the accommodation available may be fairly basic and power will be limited. In some areas, mobile phone coverage might not be very good.

Meals at basecamps
Meals are provided for volunteers, but please bring your own snacks.
Breakfast and a nourishing two-course evening meal are provided by BlazeAid (with help from local community groups) at the basecamps.

Where possible, the families you're working with will provide morning tea and lunch for volunteers each day. Otherwise, BlazeAid provides food for you to make your own sandwiches to take with you.

More info: BlazeAid.com.au

Contact details on the BlazeAid site.

I'm heading to Laharum tomorrow for my first try as a BlazeAid volunteer, starting on Wednesday.  Hope it's not too hot!!

I saw the wonderful work from the BlazeAid volunteers in my home area after the big floods of Jan. 2011.

I believe it's a great opportunity for Grey Nomads to help out.