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Four Wheel Drive Victoria Rural Response Group

Phone: +61 3 9874 7222

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24.01.2022 The story below was written by a new member of the VP 4wd club. After the devastating bushfires ripped through drought stricken East Gippsland between Christmas... Day and into the new year of 2020, many of the affected communities were left isolated, without communication, power and water supplies. Roads were blocked with fallen trees. Bitumen roads burnt as a result of intense heat from the scorching fires making travel extremely dangerous if not impossible. This situation had become very apparent to Australians once the State of Emergency had been declared by Victoria’s Premier, Mr Daniel Andrews. The State of Emergency then allowed the Australian military to get involved assisting other government departments with road clearing, house and shed demolition plus fence rebuilding to give access to power and telecommunication companies and a like to restore the essential services. Through the extensive media coverage Australians dug deep with donations. Australian citizens and companies donated money, food, clothing, water, household essentials generously like never before. As an example one small charity in Traralgon, previously lucky to receive a shopping cart of food per week of donations, received 32 pallets of goods over two days after a Victorian parliamentary Minister recognised the charity via the media. More and more food donations began flooding in so much so that businesses in Traralgon and Bairnsdale rallied behind this charity to donate warehouse space to facilitate the incoming goods. The massive influx of donations presented one major problem. With many of the roads in the affected areas blocked for travel, under police and military control for safety reasons, how could the goods be distributed to those that desperately needed food, sanitary products, pet food and of course drinking water. This plight came to the attention of the Victoria 4wd Police club and 4wd Victoria, allowing a couple of extraordinary people to have the vision of forming a recovery group called Food for the Fires. The Victoria Police 4wd club sought and received special permission to be able to travel on closed roads to get to homes isolated by the fires. This process was not an easy feat with much red tape to get through. By mid-January the relief programme was officially given the go ahead. A call was put out to 4wd clubs in Victoria seeking people who would volunteer their time to distribute over the weekend of 18th of January to far reaching fire affected communities in Victoria Three members of the Pajero 4wd club, Victoria, plus another 30 odd members of other Victorian clubs volunteered and were accepted into the relief programme not knowing what to expect. At 8am Saturday morning a convoy of approximately 24 cars left Melbourne arriving at a warehouse in Bairnsdale run by the army and charity groups at 12pm after dropping our camping gear at the Sale caravan park. At the Bairnsdale warehouse our instructions were to load our vehicles with as much water, food, pet food, milk and sanitary goods as possible, then await further instructions at a sporting oval out of town heading towards Buchan. At the sporting oval the convoys were split into smaller groups of 5 vehicles. The Trip Leader of each group was a senior member of the Victoria Police who was accompanied by a Paramedic. Equipment such as defibrillators, chainsaws, sat phones, GPS etc were carried in each of the Trip Leaders vehicle. The organiser of this event then gave a short outline of what we could expect in the next few hours of the Saturday and the Sunday heading into remote areas of East Gippsland that had only seen emergency services since Christmas. The individual convoys then departed the sporting oval with only the Trip Leaders knowing the directions. All vehicles had identification labels placed on the rear of our vehicles. The convoy I was a part of headed to Buchan and beyond passing through Police road blocks, traveling along empty roads to get to people who needed help. They did not know we were coming. Driving to our destinations was like a scene from an apocalyptic movie. It was driving through hell. Hot, smoky, lifeless and downright bloody scary thinking of what had happened just a week or so previously. We visited 5 properties that Saturday afternoon reaching close to Suggan Buggan before returning to camp at Sale arriving around 11pm. A full day. A day of witnessing humanity at its best and saddest. On the first weekend in February many of us volunteers from the January weekend went back into the fire region. This time we arrived into Bairnsdale in 44 degree heat on the Friday, camped in swags and tents and began our day 6.30am on Saturday to do it all again. Witnessing people from different communities and background coming together for one greater cause; to give their time selflessly in an effort to let others know they are not forgotten and they are cared for even though we have never met and may not meet again. Food for the Fires not only delivered goods to more than 150 families over the two weekends, the volunteers were able to spend valuable time with people who had suffered great hardship, offering support and listening to whatever they wanted to discuss. The stories of what was experienced by this small group of volunteers will remain private leaving each individual to discuss their experiences how they see fit. For me, it was a tremendously rewarding experience filled with inspiration, devastation, sadness and gratitude on the highest of levels. I am enormously proud of the 4wd community and its willingness to role its sleeves up when needed. I met some true heroes via Food for the Fires. A couple of very special people who put their busy schedules aside, worked tirelessly over long hours to organise a much required assistance programme for many fellow Australians. From A.C

24.01.2022 This week 18th to 24th May marks National Volunteering Week and the theme for 2020 is ‘Changing communities. Changing Lives.’ Four Wheel Drive Victoria is humbled and proud to say we have an outstanding history of volunteering through the efforts of our Clubs. Disaster relief and recovery, year round assistance and projects for land managers, communities, organizations and charities. The list is large, varied and the contributions invaluable. Though our volunteering activities have certainly been curtailed due to COVID19 restrictions, we know that when conditions permit clubbies will be eager to lend a hand again in changing communities and changing lives. Thank you to all who give their time. Wayne Hevey - CEO Four Wheel Drive Victoria

23.01.2022 The Four Wheel Drive Victoria clubs were out in force last weekend with a crew from the Melbourne Jeep Owners Club joining the Blaze Aid camp at Corryong to assist with fencing. They were also involved with removing dangerous burnt trees along a fence line beside a creek bank that were needing removal before fencing crews could start. Over 90 trees were removed. The local farmers were in a real state with their power being off for weeks and the contents of their freezers causing extensive damage to their house. There are many farmers in this predicament. #MJOC

22.01.2022 Why Social Distancing Matters.

19.01.2022 ***** COVID 19 UPDATE COBARGO ***** As of 23 March 2020, BlazeAid Cobargo is going into self isolation to ensure the safety of the community and volunteers in... camp. We will be in self isolation for the next fourteen days and will reassess there after. We do not have any sick volunteers on site, this is purely a precautionary measure to ensure the Cobargo community remains safe and healthy. We would like to confirm that we are not leaving Cobargo. If any further information or clarification is required, please message us on Facebook or email: [email protected]. We are looking forward to getting back to supporting and working with the community after the bloody virus get its self sorted! In the mean time, please stay safe! Practising good hygiene! Most importantly, look after yourselves and each other! BlazeAid Minderoo Foundation Convoy Missions Australia Cobargo, New South Wales Cobargo CO-OP Cobargo Bushfire Relief Centre Bega Valley Shire Council

17.01.2022 The BlazeAid base on Kangaroo Island desperately needs experienced fencers and tractor drivers. We have many young, enthusiastic but inexperienced volunteers. M...ore will be coming from all over the world now that BlazeAid work counts towards the 88 days farm work required for Working Holiday Visa holders to get an extension of their visa. The unskilled work of removing the burnt fences on the Island has mostly been done and fencing materials are available to rebuild them. Each fencing team needs an experienced and confident leader to ensure quality fences are built and to train our young volunteers. BlazeAid has 2 tractors and post drivers that need experienced operators to run during all daylight hours 7 days a week. Our coordinators on KI, Greg and Ann Stevens, will be delighted to take your call on 0427 616 323 or 0429 349 980 See more

17.01.2022 While putting up the gate on Andrea place the horses came over to have a look and inspect it they are so friendly at Bruthern blaze aid today

16.01.2022 BLAZE AID WULGULMERANG OPENS WULGULMERANG VIC 2020 New Blaze Aid Camp Opens and is ready for volunteers NOW!... Camp Status: OPENING 25 FEBRUARY 2020 Fencing Starting: 26 FEBRUARY 2020 Address: Wulgulmerang Reserve, Wulgulmerang Outside Co-ordinator: Maggie 0417 773 065 Email: [email protected] BEFORE ARRIVING: Please contact the basecamp at least the day prior to your intended arrival so we can include you in a team and put your name on the dinner list. If possible, you should aim to arrive prior to 5pm.

10.01.2022 No matter your skill, age, gender, strength and in my case, handsize, there's always a way contribute as a BlazeAid volunteer. #BlazeAid #Cobargo #Moruya Needing hands and Donations so we can keep helping

09.01.2022 Four Wheel Drive Victoria RRG Teams have been busy in recent weeks. These are photos from the Gippsland 4WD Club and Just Mates 4WD Club members who were down north of Bruthen removing and replacing fencing. A Great effort to assist this farmer in need.

08.01.2022 With the current restrictions around COVID-19 people wishing to volunteer with Blaze Aid will not be able to join any camps as no new volunteers will not be accepted. All camps are in self isolation for 14 days and new volunteers wont be accepted. Keep an eye on the Blaize Aid pages for new information

05.01.2022 Volunteer Activities by our members from Four wheel Drive Victoria RRG

05.01.2022 A few sneak peak pictures. Some of our crew helping this weekend at Blazeaid Bruthen. Video to come later this week.

03.01.2022 Get a load of this!!! Corryong BlazeAiders lining up at dinner! What a magnificent contribution to the Corryong community and this effort of willing workers on ...fence lines supporting this most deserving community will go on every day for several months ! Congratulations to the Coordinators Bill, Rob, Wendy and Dianne who do the muster and all the deployment behind the ( fence) lines- a massive task. We salute you all who are there making a difference! Kevin See more

02.01.2022 The phone is on!! NBN satellite to the rescue - Thankyou NBN!! The spacious free camping grounds overlooking the beautiful ranges - in this Autumn coming - is ...the scene BlazeAid base camp at Wulgulmerang ( near Gelantipy in Gippsland Vic) which is now open for volunteering with Coords Maggie and Paul. They have been ready there since Feb10, 2020 as they are now contactable and vice versa ( I strongly recommend Maggie and you to bring a set / buy sets of UHF radios so you are in safe contact while working in these hills as well pls) BlazeAid wishes to publicly thank NBN’s Ryan Jones and the main person working with NBN being the local Rosanna Lacorcia. However there were other additional nbn people behind the scenes but Rosanna was the main driver though. Thankyou Rosanna. I also acknowledge the work of Telstra who were totally responsive the whole time through but unfortunately there was not enough signal to be enhanced with their unit and that’s why we had to go satellite If anyone wishes to go to a base where we need more vols please consider calling Wulgulmerang AAA Coords Maggie And Paul 0417773065. You will love it - locals Amy ( Secr of the reserve) are just such beautiful people and well worth your support. Pictured below is me , Kevin and BlazeAid Coord Nick ( Maggie was away shopping) at Wulgulmerang when they first arrived around Feb 10

02.01.2022 If you are thinking of going to a Blaze Aid Camp soon make sure you check that the camp has work for you. Some camps have more than enough volunteers and many don't have enough supplies of fencing materials as BHP can not keep up supply to the demand. So check before you go.

01.01.2022 More photos from the Gippsland 4WD Club and Just Mates efforts.

01.01.2022 Four Wheel Drive Victoria Volunteers Supporting Fire Effected Communities. Our enthusiastic Four Wheel Drive Club members are currently out in the far reaches of the state in fire effected areas working to assist farmers and communities with their needs. So far our club members have accumulated over 2,780 work and travel hours supporting fire effected communities and farmers.... Members have been working with farmers in removal of burnt fencing, building new fencing, removing burnt trees, delivering hay etc. both independently and with Blaze Aid. We work with like-minded community support groups and organisations such as Blaze Aid and Victorian Farmers Federation to support farming communities with delivery of food packs, water, personal products and pet supplies delivering these goods to remote farmers as needed. A recent convoy of over 60 vehicles delivered goods to remote farmers in need as well as displaced families who have lost their homes to the fires in the East Gippsland region.. Many clubs are also running club trips into these regions to visit towns and spend tourist dollars directly with small businesses that are all effected by the fires. We encourage all Victorians to do this to help keep these devastated communities survive. We also work closely with Government Land Mangers such as DELWP and Parks Victoria and are ready to support them as needed using the skills and experience within the club network. Our club member volunteers are currently working in Blaze Aid camps across the state including Corryong, Omeo, Wulgulmerang, Bruthen, Lexton, Buchan, Ensay, and Noorinbee-Cann River. Members have also been in NSW Blaze Aid camps helping our NSW friends. These four wheel drive club members are able to use their many skills and vehicle capability in difficult terrain and support farmers on the ground with difficult tasks such as removal of dangerous burnt trees, rubbish etc. Our Four Wheel Drive Victoria Rural Response Group (RRG) has other projects in the pipeline to support those in need and are ready to move to any location in the state. The RRG was formed after the Black Saturday bush fires in 2009 to support our members in all sorts of volunteer activities. For any further information or if you know fire effected people in need please contact our office on 9874 7222 or [email protected]