Honours for BlazeAid
Several volunteers from the BlazeAid Bunyip relief team have been recognised in the 2019 Victorian Volunteer Champion Awards in the Eastern Victorian Region.
Jumping to the aid of those farmers and residents who were affected by the March bushfires, the BlazeAid volunteers leapt into action, heading to the region in order to lend a hand to the many farmers and residents in Bunyip and Garfield North, Tonimbuk and surrounds.
The volunteers recognised for their enormous contributions in helping get the residents back on their feet were Joe Petersen, John Anderson, Sarah Johnston, Simon Righton, Sue Neilson, Susan Anderson and Therese Baker, who were recognised in the teamwork category, alongside other volunteers from Officer.
BlazeAid is a volunteer organisation, founded by Kilmore East farmers Kevin and Rhonda Butler after the devastating Black Saturday bushfires in 2009. They work with rural families to help rebuild structures, fences and other damaged property caused by fires or other natural disasters.
Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing, congratulated the award recipients and said the contribution they have made to the area is remarkable in often tiring and trying conditions.
“These awards recognise the outstanding and selfless work that all volunteers do in the community every day, often in incredibly difficult or trying circumstances, and I congratulate them all on their dedication and generosity of spirit” Ms Shing said.
“Every year we see more volunteers putting their heart and soul into working together to support others and improve our communities in a huge variety of ways. Thanks to all our outstanding volunteers who help make Victoria a better place to live” Ms Shing added.
Now into its seventh year, the Victorian Volunteer Champion Awards was created to recognise and celebrate those who take the time to make an impact on their local or broader community.
There are over 1.5 million volunteers working to make a huge contribution to the various communities, adding an estimated $42billion to the economy in 2021 if volunteering rates continue to rise as they are now.
This year there were 247 nominees for the awards, with 57 recognised for their outstanding contributions across the state.