BLAZE AID comes to the rescue to help repair fencing for flood effected farmers in western Queensland. Volunteers are needed to cook and/or serve breakfasts, lunches and maybe even dinners around the campsites.
There were 10 (of 13) representatives of Club’s who will form the new Cluster at PETS and it was agree that an idea put forward by Tex Pike (RC Eumundi) around assistance to people and businesses affected by the floods out west would be our Cluster project. This was reaffirmed at a Presidents / AG meeting last Wednesday night. Current Presidents of Renouf Cluster and all President Elect’s (the people (that have email addresses for) were invited to the meeting. Sadly, not all attended or alternatively sent an apology.
So what next – Call to Action now.
Attached is a document briefly outlining the Project in conjunction with Blaze Aid with the assistance of P Alina Graham (Global Water Safety and Drowning Prevention Club) who runs First Aid and swimming lesson businesses from Quilpie for the vast surrounding areas, will partner with Tex to ensure those affected get what’s needed not just what they get sent. Alina is also on the District Rotary Disaster Response Committee. Our district has already raised, via various avenues - around $230k to assist those affected out West.
Obviously not everybody will be able to assist with boots on the ground out west but maybe you can come up with other ideas to assist. Please share them with Tex (his contact details in the attachment). Alina has in fact be asked by Blaze Aide whether Rotary could provide assistance as early as this Easter weekend – that timeframe is probably unachievable for most however if you can help please contact Tex. The request does however highlight the urgency of assistance required out west.
I will be tracking all correspondence via Tex, so I anticipate this email and future correspondence from Tex will be dealt with in the most efficient manner.
I’m sure you will need further information – so first contact is Tex with me being the second at this time.
Thank you for any assistance you or your Club Members can provide.
Cheers
Greig Lee-Archer
Area Governor
Renouf Cluster 2023 – 2026
District 9620
Past President RC Caloundra Pacific
Mob: +61 (0)408 900 015
The International Theme for Rotary in 2025-26 is:
UNITE FOR GOOD
Many of us will remember when we used to do overseas trips as Rotarians to install a well for drinking water in a village in Africa or Asia.
We remember when we went to New Guinea to build a hospital or to help the survival of pregnant women in Sudan.
Why were these initiatives so important to Rotary?
Besides helping poorer peoples, we also gained a significant value for ourselves as Rotarians.
We developed fraternity within our own ranks which led to many other cooperative efforts to do Rotary’s work in years to follow. We attracted new members to our Clubs.
With the 2025-26 theme: UNITE FOR GOOD we have another golden opportunity to Do Good by Uniting our efforts.
We remember when we went to New Guinea to build a hospital or to help the survival of pregnant women in Sudan.
Why were these initiatives so important to Rotary?
Besides helping poorer peoples, we also gained a significant value for ourselves as Rotarians.
We developed fraternity within our own ranks which led to many other cooperative efforts to do Rotary’s work in years to follow. We attracted new members to our Clubs.
With the 2025-26 theme: UNITE FOR GOOD we have another golden opportunity to Do Good by Uniting our efforts.
FLOODS IN WESTERN QUEENSLAND
One of the major disruptions felt by our fellow Australians in this important primary producer area of our state is the loss of fencing during floods. Rural people are passionate about their livestock. It is heartbreaking to know your herd has been decimated by flood waters and that you have to start all over.
To do so the very first thing a farmer needs is to repair his/her fences. You cannot contain the remaining herds nor keep new herds in check without replacing the fences that are such a large part of your infrastructure.
BLAZE AID comes to the rescue.
Through the generous contribution of Volunteers, Blaze Aid brings people power to the task of rebuilding these much needed fences. It’s a hard job and needs many people to succeed. In addition, Blaze Aid sources fencing supplies, tools and in some cases vehicles to attack this important task. All for free to the affected farmer.
It has often been said, an Army travels on its stomach.
Here is where we come in as Rotarians. We know how to serve food.
Blaze Aid will supply the food and the kitchens, they need our muscle to get the job done.
THE CHALLENGE:
Volunteers are needed to cook and/or serve breakfasts, lunches and maybe even dinners around the campsites.
You would need to travel to the West (about 1000 kms, sometimes on difficult roads), bring your own swag and shelter (caravan, camper, tent etc) and be prepared to rough it while at the same time getting up early and working late. You can come for as long as you wish, work as many days as you wish and just enjoy the wonderful nights out west under the stars. You WILL make new friends. You WILL enrich your life experiences, You WILL appreciate how hard people of the land work. Who knows, you might even decide to stay longer and help re-build some homes or other community infrastructure. Schools, businesses, Churches and any other needs the community needs to get re-started.
If this idea appeals to your spirit of adventure, let me know, I will put you in contact with the right coordinators to make this a fun and fulfilling experience as we UNITE FOR GOOD.
Many Rotarians belong to Caravan groups. Perhaps your group might want to participate in this project.
Why not discuss it at your weekly Rotary meetings and gauge the interest. Then let me know and we can take it from there.
Robert (Tex) Pipke
PP Rotary Club of Cooroy
PP Rotary club of Eumundi
Member Rotary Club of Eumundi
E: hrtex800@gmail.com (Preferred method of communication)
M: 0412 768 645