Blaze Aid charity gets News Corp donation to rebuild fencing
Blaze Aid charity gets $250,000 News Corp boost to rebuild fences for Australia’s farming communities hit by the devastating bushfires.
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Blaze Aid founders Kevin and Rhonda Butler know just how important it is to rebuild thousands of kilometres of fencing across Australia’s fire-ravaged farming communities.
“It’s absolutely crucial,’’ Kevin said after the charity received a $250,000 shot in the arm from News Corp to help continue their work.
The donation will pay for 10 “combat-ready” trailers, which each contain tools, equipment and materials to fix fencing.
“They will go to work all the way from Kangaroo Island to the Queensland border,’’ he said.
Penny Fowler, News Corp Australia’s Community Ambassador, said the company recognised there was a vital need for funds to be distributed immediately.
The dual-axle trailers will each carry $18,000 worth of equipment such as post-hole diggers, chainsaws, drills, clips, hammers and axes.
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Blaze Aid volunteers are leading the herculean fencing task, currently clearing 45km and then building 40km of new fences each day, Mr Butler said.
The plan was to increase the daily total of new fencing to 70-80km.
The organisation has 1200 to 3000 volunteers on duty every day, working in crews of up to 10, based in camps around the country.
Three Blaze Aid camps have been set up across Victoria — at the Corryong Recreation Reserve, Lexton Recreation Reserve and Bruthen Football Club. Another is planned for Omeo soon.
Mr Butler said the average age of volunteers was 55, but “all ages were getting involved”.
News Corp, publisher of the Herald Sun, is contributing more than $11 million for bushfire relief.