Four young Argentinian friends have been helping build fences around Wauchope, after they decided to volunteer for the charity BlazeAid.
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Victoria Luna and her three pals were on holiday in Sydney when they heard about the work being done to help people in the Hastings after the devastating bushfires in November.
"We volunteered because we heard about the fires from a friend who was working for BlazeAid. She told us what she was doing, repairing fences on burned farms, and we wanted to join in," said Victoria.
"We are really enjoying ourselves and we are very happy to be here. Everybody has been so kind and welcoming so we wanted to give something back. We are really happy to help. We are here in Australia on holidays, but we can help the people too.
"We have been working on the farms of the people around Wauchope. It's hard work but it's really rewarding," she added.
The four friends were among the guests at the Pappinbarra Community Recovery meeting and barbecue at Hollisdale hall last Friday, January 20, which gave everyone in the valley and beyond the chance to catch up with friends and neighbours.
BlazeAid is a volunteer-based organisation helping families to rebuild their fences that have been damaged or destroyed.
Three homes were destroyed in Upper Pappinbarra, and four were burnt out in Bellangry during the blazes in November 2019. Many more families lost fencing and outbuildings around their properties.
BlazeAid volunteers work in a disaster-affected area for many months, not only helping individuals and families, but also helping rebuild the local community.
BlazeAid are currently at Wauchope Showground and you can call there, or ring camp coordinator David Edgerley on 0418 530 471 or email admin@blazeaid.com.au
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Letitia Fitzpatrick
Worked as a journalist and assistant producer for BBC news and current affairs in the UK, Ulster Television, Q Radio and the Irish News in Northern Ireland. Moved to Australia and joined Fairfax Media in 2016. Won a Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship award in 2018 for reporting the Pappinbarra bushfires and the subsequent Rotary appeal which raised $30,000.
Worked as a journalist and assistant producer for BBC news and current affairs in the UK, Ulster Television, Q Radio and the Irish News in Northern Ireland. Moved to Australia and joined Fairfax Media in 2016. Won a Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship award in 2018 for reporting the Pappinbarra bushfires and the subsequent Rotary appeal which raised $30,000.
