ABOVE: BlazeAid volunteers Jenny Neumann with Chris and John Male in Casino. Photo: Susanna Freymark
BlazeAid is back at the Casino Showgrounds to give a hand to anyone who needs it during the flood recovery.
The charitable organisation has been in Casino twice before to help with the recovery after the bushfires.
This time BlazeAid vice president Chris Male is the coordinator.
With her husband John Male, she has come from Gippsland in Victoria and have been volunteering with BlazeAid for nine years.
Their involvement was sparked by a “terrible” car accident involving their son and daughter-in-law.
They were so impressed by the help they received, they wanted to give back and chose the BlazeAid organisation because it was so open, Chris said.
The team of 20 volunteers, with more coming, aren’t just here to do fencing.
“We’ve got a few people milking cows at a dairy farm this morning,” Chris said.
They can fix fences and pipes and help out with farm work.
Farmers need to call them though.
“There is this a stoicism, farmers loathe asking for help,” she said.
But that is what they’re here for.
Chris said they made sure they arrived with plenty of supplies because they didn’t want to take from local shops immediately after the flooding.
As time progresses they will make sure they buy local to bring money into the local economy.
“Our policy is to buy local.”
They plan to stay in Casino for a year.
Farmers needing help can call Chris direct on 0418 745 994.
“We’re here seven days a week,” she said.
If anyone in the community would like to support BlazeAid, they’ve asked for slices and biscuits. You can drop them off at the showground.