Blazeaid volunteers have been working tirelessly to support flood affected communities across Tasmania since the June floods.
Their work has been as much about rebuilding the lives of our rural families as it is about mending fences.
The Tasmania Government is grateful for the help of Blazeaid and all its volunteers for helping Tasmania get back on its feet after the devastating floods.
Blazeaid set-up basecamps in local communities including Ulverstone, Ouse, Latrobe and Mole Creek rebuilding fences and other structures.
In total, 152 volunteers donated their time with an additional 45 Boags Tasmania staff for one-day. 96 properties have been worked on, 95km of damaged fencing has been cleared and 73km of new fencing built.
The final Tasmanian Blazeaid basecamp in Mole Creek will close on Tuesday.
Barry Thompson, who has organised and overseen the Tasmanian operation, has arranged a thank you event for the 150-plus volunteers who have donated their time to Blazeaid right across the state since the June floods.
The afternoon tea and BBQ is being held this Sunday, October 2, from 3pm at the Mole Creek Football Ground.
While he is heading home to South Australia next week, Barry has decided to leave a legacy of Blazeaid’s time in Tasmania by commissioning the construction of six combat-ready Blazeaid trailers that will be ready to respond to the next emergency.
The trailers are being built in Deloraine with donations received locally and from across Australia and from local organisations such as the Deloraine Lions Club who recently gave Blazeaid $10,000. Additional support has come from local business providing at-cost materials and significant discounts on parts and labour for the trailers.
The six trailers should be ready and on display at the thank you function in Mole Creek this Sunday. They will then be fitted out by a Blazeaid volunteer in Launceston.