General News
31 January, 2022
Support for Blazeaid in Edenhope
$30,000 has been donated to BlazeAid at the Edenhope camp for support after the Poolaijelo fires.
TO further the support available to those affected by the New Years Poolaijelo fires, $30,000 has been donated to BlazeAid at the Edenhope camp.
The West Wimmera Shire Council donated the money to BlazeAid to install an air-conditioner at the Edenhope Showgrounds pavilion where they have set up camp.
The remaining money from the donation will be available for BlazeAid to use within the community.
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Edenhope Blazeaid Camp coordinators Broni and Rob Edwards said the money received would be used for the running of the camp, including repairs and maintenance of equipment and vehicles.
“Blazeaid is unique in that when funding or donations are made it can be allocated to specific disaster zones, for example, the Poolajieo fire zone,” they said.
“After the wild weather on Thursday, we decided to hold back sending two of our teams out to the property owners clearing and fencing so we could assist with the cleanup around town and on the lakefront.
“It’s very sad to see the damage of the beautiful trees.”
Broni and Rob said without the support of the community they would not be able to run the camp and support farmers.
“We would very much like to thank everyone for their support, from the parents to businesses, the West Wimmera Shire Council, Lions Club, the gardeners who supply fresh veggies and the people who keep our workers nourished with biscuits, slices and cakes,” they said.
“Thank you so much, we love what we do and we love the community spirit that you have here at Edenhope and surrounding areas.”
On 31 December 2021, fires consumed the Poolaijelo-Langkoop area and more than 7000 hectares and about 5500 stock was lost.
Mayor Bruce Meyer said the council had mobilised resources to assist affected landholders.
This assistance included the provision of a mobile toilet/shower trailer for three months at the BlazeAid base camp at the Edenhope showgrounds.
In conjunction with Agriculture Victoria, the council arranged a drop-in day at the Poolaijelo Hall to connect impacted residents with various service providers including Agriculture Victoria, Uniting Wimmera, Rural Financial Counselling Service Victoria West, BlazeAid, and the Victorian Farmers’ Federation.
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Cr Meyer said he had met with affected landholders.
"I’ve seen the trauma and the impact of the situation firsthand,” he said.
“We want to provide some support as best we can. These people need someone to lean on.
“There has been a lot of work happening already through our Rural Outreach support program. Our outreach workers have been there meeting with families.
“Hopefully this money helps provide further support for people who were affected.”
Cr Meyer said he hoped this contribution to BlazeAid would greatly benefit and assist the local community of landowners that had suffered greatly.
“BlazeAid is a wonderful organisation that has done great things in our shire already,” he said.
“Hopefully, this allows their great work to continue in our communities.”