By Kath Gannaway
TASMANIAN members of Timber Communities Australia were back on the mainland last week, helping with the on-going task of replacing fences destroyed in the 2009 bushfires.
The Tasmanians are part of a collaborative project driven by the Rotary Club of Healesville and supported by Yarra Ranges Council.
Team leader Lin Thompson was last year part of a TCA group which came over – and says he is not surprised there is still work to be done.
This time, the visitors have worked on four properties at Steels Creek and two at Chum Creek.
“Rotary put out the call there were still things to do and asked if we could get a team together…and here we are,” Mr Thompson said.
“There is still a lot to be done, but knowing the circumstances of some of the people, they’re not in a position to do it themselves. “Some are still traumatised and it’s just not getting done.”
Rotary fencing co-ordinator Graeme Chester said it was great to have the Tasmanians on board again, in what was truly a collaborative effort.
“The property owners have provided the materials and cleared the fence lines, Rotary, through its Bushfire Fund, is financing fencing contractors Sam and Molly Johanson to put in the posts and these guys are doing the wiring,” Mr Chester said.
Yarra Ranges Council is again providing accommodation, food and fuel and T.T. Lines again ferried the crew across Bass Strait on the Princess of Tasmania.
Mr Thompson said there was still a strong commitment to helping Victorians affected by the bushfires.
“Some of us have taken time off from work without pay, others are retired and it’s something we all want to do,” he said.
The workers are putting in long days, starting at 7.30am and packing up when the light runs out.
Their reward is just seeing the fences rebuilt, but Mr Thompson said there were some other fringe benefits.
“We were out at Steels Creek and the owner came over with a delicious lot of hot scones for morning tea and a big bag of groceries for us to take back to the camp…just wonderful,” he said.
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