By Callum Ludwig
Being in one of the most at-risk bushfire areas in the country, the Millgrove Residents Action Group (MRAG) rightfully want to make sure the local community is as safe as possible from the threat of fire.
MRAG has partnered up with the Australian Resilience Corps and Connecting Communities Australia to host a ‘Millgrove Muster’ event, taking the time to clear out dangerous debris.
MRAG President Maureen Halit said it’s all part of their work to to help build a more resilient community.
“MRAG has always had the safety of the community in mind when creating our beautiful gardens and lawns and has also created a clear safe place alongside the CFA Refuge,” she said.
“We have finished stage one of the River Road track and are now working on the Dee Road side of the Yarra. Recreating this area will also reduce the huge amount of fire matter hence making it a safer place whilst utilising our very popular river banks. “
There are three opportunities to help get involved with the clean up: Wednesday 26 April, Thursday 27 April and Friday 28 April from 9am to 3pm. Registration can be done at: www.resiliencecorps.org.au/musters/.
The Millgrove Muster is part of MRAG’s larger partnership with the Minderoo Foundation (founding partners of the Australian Resilience Corps) and its Fire and Flood Resilience initiative, with their partners ResilientCo and the Australian Institute of Disaster Resilience.
Minderoo Foundation’s Resilient Communities Project Manager Jamie Loyd reinforced the importance of how a community-driven co-created resilience plan can create more access to funding as it showcases the tool that they’re using for building resilience.
“All parties, from local government to funders to practitioners, can walk beside communities, not in front or behind them, but next to them and support them through their resilience journey,” he said in a statement.
Volunteers of the Millgrove Muster will be taking part in cutting back excess vegetation and tree branches, revegetation (particularly along the riverbank) and weed control.
Managing Director of ResilientCo Brett Ellis stated that they’re seeing the Millgrove community coming together and connecting so much more.
“Not every plan is going to work for every household or every business, but they need to work through that and look at what their exposure is to that risk and have a plan in place with their family or their workers around how they’ll deal with that particular challenge,” he said.
Volunteers are told to wear closed-toe shoes, a long sleeve shirt and long pants. They are encouraged to bring a sweater, rain jacket, broad-brimmed hat and sun protection depending on the weather as well as lunch, snacks and water.
All volunteers must be older than 18 and will be covered by public liability and volunteer insurance by registering.
