BLACK SATURDAY AND A REFLECTION ON OUR RURAL
RESPONSE EFFORTS
the team led by the Subaru Club members. They were building a new 800 metre boundary
fence on a property where our members had removed the burnt fence on the previous RRG
trip on 4-5 April. Danny Hall and the Rotarians worked on a fence on Sellens property.
During the Saturday evening, the VFF gave us a BBQ dinner at the cricket clubhouse. Some
of us camped there overnight on the cricket oval. We were able to watch the AFL match on
their big screen.
On Sunday morning, we divided into three teams. The teams led by John and Doug worked
on four small properties removing fences while Darren’s team returned to the first farm
referred to in Jessica’s report below and completed the new fence for the 88 year old
owner.
Doug Hammerton (570)
Report by Jessica Daley , daughter of Sean & Rebecca Daley
On Saturday morning all the people volunteering to help out with clearing up the farms met
at Traralgon South CFA station. These people were from both the Pajero and Subaru
four-wheel drive clubs. When everyone had arrived, we were split into four groups, two for
clearing fallen trees and removing rubbish left over by the fire, and the other two to help
pull down the burnt fences and build new ones. Our group was helping with the fences. We
all worked together and had the old fence down within the hour. Once we had pulled down
the fence, we went to start putting up a new one only to find we did not have the supplies
needed. Whilst we were packing up, the owner of the farm came up to see how we were
doing. When he was offered a lift back to his house he rejected it, instead preferring to
walk. Very fit for eighty-eight years old! We drove down to where the other group was
putting up their fence to help. It took us all day and I think the only one of us who wasn’t
tired was Bella, the farmer’s dog. Despite the work she always seemed to be able to
convince someone to throw the stick for her! By the end of the day we had put up three
fences and were invited back to a barbeque at the cricket club. I think the farmers
appreciated our help and thank you to anyone who came on any of the RRG trips, not just
this one.
Jessica Daley (1184)
A report by Doug Hammerton from May (Doug was coordinating on behalf of FWDVic)
RURAL RESPONSE GROUP REPORT 28 April 2009
Four Wheel Drive Victoria’s Activities
Many of the Clubs affiliated with Four Wheel Drive Victoria are continuiung to assist in the
bushfire areas at Kilmore, Kinglake, Murrindindi, Beechworth, Redesdale, Bendigo, Bunyip,
Churchill, and Horsham.
Newbies Trip Report.docx
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