Victorian Regional Achievement and Community Awards: Kelly van den Berg’s fire aid nominated
Kelly van den Berg dropped everything to support her friends and neighbours fighting the Gippsland fires over summer and her commitment has been nominated for a major regional award.
A BUDGEREE horse trainer’s dedication to her community during a crisis has earnt her a nomination for a Victorian Regional Achievement and Community Award.
Kelly Van den Berg co-ordinated efforts to provide emergency relief to many of her neighbours and clients during the Gippsland fires over the summer.
Her Gippsland Horse and Stock Safe Bushfire Assistance organisation was started five years ago as a way of keeping people in her equestrian networks connected during fires, but grew to something much bigger than Ms Van den Berg expected.
“In the beginning it would connect people together to each other, they could post on there asking for help, but then we began filling a gap where people needed help immediately, because what remaining stock they had were standing on burnt ground,” she said.
Very quickly more than 100 local volunteers joined the effort, running an aid collection and distribution depot on private property.
Her commitment to the cause saw her shut down her business for three months over summer, which then ran into the start of a global pandemic.
“I haven’t worked since December really, I lost 80 per cent of my work,” Ms Van den Berg said.
Despite this, she remains positive about the impact the organisation had, with plans to register as an association to be better prepared for any future emergencies.
She said the community hero award nomination was “a bit embarrassing” but reflects on the supportive network she has found herself in.
“My main focus is for the organisation to be recognised for the amount of effort and time they gave up. It really does show that when the chips are down, doesn’t matter who you are or who you vote for, people come together and help each other,” she said.
To nominate someone for the Regional Achievement and Community Awards, visit awardsaustralia.com
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