Bush Fire Relief
Please see the following short report on the assistance being given by the Rotary Club of Bacchus Marsh to a farming family at Wandong, Victoria.
After learning of how much on the ground work was needed in many areas affected the horrific bushfires on Black Saturday members of RC of BM took up the suggestion of their Rotary District officers and searched for a local contact.
Soon Mr Phil Clancy of the Rotary Club of Southern Mitchell ( Broadford & Kilmore) can back with the suggestion that help would be appreciated by a farming family on the eastern side of Wandong.
Maurie and Mrs Scanlon and their son Greg and his young family live on a cattle grazing property that was covered from side to by the fires that started just 6 miles north west at Kilmore East. Their homes were saved, most of their cattle and a few on farm facilities. All fences were either totally destroyed or damaged. Three hay sheds full of new seasons hay were destroyed. Maurie who has lived at the farm since 1938 has seen lesser fires in 1982 and 1999 but is still keen to see his farm restored to functional cattle property. There is close to 30 km s of boundary and internal fencing on the property.
After visits to the area and contact with Blaze Aid coordinator Kevin Butler a group of 10 Bacchus Marsh Rotarians went to Wandong last weekend - camped on site and took a range of fencing equipment.
8 man days time was put in to clear ruined fences, erect new fencing and where possible repair damaged fences along forest/plantation boundaries. About 4.5 kms fencing was rebuilt or repaired.
Maxine Lawford, wife of Rotarian Peter was also onsite to provide the high quality meals and morning and afternoon teas to keep the work crews on the job.
The photo shows Geoff Slee working on some damaged fencing next to a burnt out blue gum plantation.
It is expected that further work will be carried out in the coming weeks and other members of Rotary Club of Bacchus Marsh will be giving help with providing replacement garden plants and shrubs and paperwork to ensure affected families can access funding for restoration works on their properties.
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