ABOVE: Ron Murphy, known as Spud, has loved his time in Casino and surrounds helping farmers recover from the 2019 bushfires.
BlazeAid coordinator Ron “Spud” Murphy is leaving Casino to return home to Burnett in Queensland.
BlazeAid came to Casino in November 2019 after the Rappville fires. The team have put up more than 100km of fencing since then.
Ron was coordinator of the volunteers who are based at the Casino showground. He has dealt with the stops and starts through covid lockdowns.
He wrote a heartfelt letter to the people who have helped during his time as coordinator.
“It is with deep regret that I hand over the reins of Rappville to Linda Hibbard.
My heart calls me home to help in the Burnett after yet another unbelievable flood.
Two years after the fires and then suffering floods and storms there is still work to be done here so if you can help Linda and irreplaceable volunteers like my main man Lawrie, please come and help.
I know life is hard for people but just think how much harder it is for our incredible farming families.
A huge thank you to all the awesome volunteers who have made their way here to help.
Thanks to Mayor Robert Mustow and his right-hand man Vaughan McDonald and all the incredible staff at council. You are a credit to your community and they should be proud of you all.
To everyone from Rotary, Lions Vinnies, the incredible Kerrie Gray from Red Cross and her sidekick Trish. Your community spirit, helpfulness and genuine concern for your community is inspiring.
Kaela your smile and involvement has been a blast.
Last but definitely not least. Your very own (council) recovery manager Kelly Moroney.
I may get to work with someone of your knowledge, dedication and sense of community again. And if I do I will be the better for it.
Thank you for all your help.
God, I nearly forgot the hardworking and long-suffering Renee from the Casino Racecourse, it has been wonderful knowing you.
To anyone I haven’t mentioned please be assured that it is only because there are so many of you.
It has been an incredible journey and learning curve for me and I leave hoping that I have done some good.”
from Spud
and then