Sassafras-Ferny Creek and Belgrave fire brigades have reignited a project aimed at helping support colleagues in East Gippsland following the 2019-2020 Black Summer bushfires.
The initiative began with a successful expedition in February 2020, where volunteers spent a weekend in the region replacing hundreds of metres of fencing decimated by the bushfires. Further assistance was prevented by Covid-19 restrictions.
The idea originated from Lyndy Jewell, who like other brigade members, spent time in the East Gippsland area during the worst of the 2019-2020 fire response.
Builder Ray Krumins helped secure thousands of dollars worth of tools and timber provided by Bowen’s timber and building supplies in Hallam and Hikoki Power Tools in Sydney.
Mr Krumins, alongside Sarah Krumins and John and Betty Schurink, returned to East Gippsland to evenly distribute power tools and other supplies to the Gelantipy CFA brigade, Buchan CFA brigade and the Bruthen Men’s Shed.
The Gelantipy brigade also received just over $3200, raised for community use.
“With the project effectively stalled for two years by Covid and the immediate need for assistance with fencing passed, it was felt the best thing we could do was distribute the hardware to our CFA colleagues and to the Men’s Shed,” Mr Krumins said.
“That way there will at least be an enduring expression of our support for these small communities that have endured some really tough times over the past two years.”
The recipient organisations expressed their enormous gratitude to the communities involved with Sassafras-Ferny Creek and Belgrave fire brigades who donated the equipment.
