BlazeAid Inc rebuilds more than 51km of fencing for Wagin and West Arthur farmers after devastating bushfire

BlazeAid volunteers have rebuilt kilometres of fencing ravaged by the January bushfire for Wagin and West Arthur farmers, providing crucial support and mental health aid. About 25 BlazeAid volunteers have restored more than 51km of fencing since March 12 in the shires of Wagin and West Arthur for farmers affected by the devastating January 24 bushfire. The Wagin Showground has hosted 17 volunteers at a time while they’ve repaired fences across the 13 farms damaged by the blaze. The 11,000ha bushfire was sparked by a faulty power line on the border of West Arthur and Wagin and burnt down three homes, damaged several residential and non-residential buildings and farmland, and killed hundreds of livestock animals. BlazeAid Wagin camp co-ordinator Kerrie Bennett contacted the Shire of Wagin and travelled to the town on January 27 to offer aid. She said the organisation’s work made a huge difference and brought farmers a lot of relief. Ms Bennett said looking after farmers’ mental health was the most important thing. “If a farmer needs to talk, it’s tools down, the fence can wait till tomorrow,” she said. “There’s a light at the end of that very dim tunnel, and you notice the difference in the farmers’ attitudes, their voices, you hear laughter again where you often don’t.” The Hamersleys, a local farming family, lost 86 per cent of their property, sheep stock, and more than 30km of fencing. Kirstine Hamersley said BlazeAid was fantastic and its help gave farmers time to focus on other jobs. “It allowed my husband that time, which is worth a million dollars,” she said. “Them coming in and doing that fencing has given us that reprieve to do other stuff we need to do to get our business back on track.” Ms Hamersley said the group was very approachable and trustworthy, and adapted its work to the farmer’s particular need. Wagin shire president Phil Blight said while BlazeAid had fast-tracked fencing recovery, the group’s most important service related to the farmers’ mental health. “More importantly, I think it’s helped enormously with their state of mind,” he said. “Those people that are affected by the fire go through various stages of recovery, so that kind of support with basic tasks like fencing is just fantastic.” Ms Bennett said BlazeAid would simultaneously help rebuild the town by shopping locally and putting as much money into businesses as possible while volunteers were at camp.