Wimmera firefighters establish recovery appeal for devastated Walwa

These Wimmera firefighters may live hundreds of kilometres away from Victoria’s fire-ravaged towns, but they put their lives on the line to help protect their country mates. And now they’re going one step further.

Team effort: Warracknabeal CFA captain Cameron Whelan (centre), with Wimmera strike team members who fought fires at Walwa earlier this month. Wimmera CFA brigades are now raising funds for farmers at Walwa. Picture: Dannika Bonser

WARRACKNABEAL’S Cameron Whelan has witnessed the devastation and trauma of the recent bushfires first-hand, despite living hundreds of kilometres away from fire-ravaged towns.

The Warracknabeal fire brigade captain made the 600km journey to the small Upper Murray community of Walwa, as part of a strike team made up of fireys from across the Wimmera district.

“The forest around was absolutely devastated … grazing land, hay, homes, anything in the fire’s path was devoured,” the firefighter of 24 years said.

“It was really a lottery – the town was luckily saved by the great work of the Walwa brigade and town folk, but they sustained a full week of huge fires circling right around them.”

When they returned home, Mr Whelan and the strike team knew that their work was not done.

They knew Walwa needed help, and fast — inspiring the Wimmera-Walwa Bushfire Recovery Appeal, collecting hay and donations.

The appeal was established to ensure 100 per cent of the funds go directly to those who need it, promising no administration fees.

“When people are down we like to give them a hand up,” Mr Whelan said.

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Fundraisers are being held throughout the Wimmera.

A Walwa committee will decide how to best spend the funds, with ideas including a school welfare fund to assist children traumatised by the fire crisis.

“We feel now we have a nice connection with Walwa,” Mr Whelan said. “We are going to camp, visit and fully support these areas.”

Donations can be made via electronic transfer to the Warracknabeal Action Group Inc; BSB 633-000, bank account 149878134.