Victoria Names Bushfire Recovery Voluteers Local Hero

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) tonight congratulated Blaze Aid founders, Kevin and Rhonda Butler, for being honoured as Victoria’s Local Hero in the lead-up to the 2010 Australian of the Year Awards.

DIAC is once again proud to sponsor Australia’s Local Hero Award and to celebrate the extraordinary work of ordinary Australians who make their local community a better place. Next year is the 50th anniversary of the Australian of the Year Awards.

Mr and Mrs Butler, from Kilmore East, received the award for their leadership in the Victorian bushfire recovery efforts by establishing Blaze Aid – a charity which coordinates an army of volunteers who are helping to rebuild rural fences and the spirits of bushfire victims.

“Mr and Mrs Butler are outstanding citizens who inspire us with the passion they have for this country and its people,” a DIAC spokesperson said.

“Following the devastating Black Saturday bushfires they were overwhelmed with offers of assistance to rebuild their farm’s destroyed fences. Once their own stock was secured they were determined to help others do the same, so they established the Blaze Aid charity.”

Blaze Aid has received donations of money, tools, equipment, food, accommodation, transport and hands-on support for their team of some 2700 local and international volunteers who have replaced a total of 400 kilometres of fences on 70 properties in the Kilmore–Kinglake region.

“Australia’s Local Hero Award acknowledges dedicated citizens such as Mr and Mrs Butler who work tirelessly to make the lives of those around them that little bit better,” the spokesperson said.

“Our Local Heroes are extraordinary individuals whose passion and energy strengthen our communities and encapsulate what it means to be Australian.”

The national Local Hero Award recipient will be announced in Canberra on 25 January 2010.

Victoria’s Local Hero

Kevin and Rhonda Butler
Kilmore East
Bushfire recovery volunteers

The day after the devastation of the Black Saturday fires, Kevin and Rhonda Butler began rebuilding three kilometres of fencing burnt out on their property to stop 1500 sheep from straying onto the Hume Highway. Realising that the task would take three months to complete, they called on the help of friends and family.

From that experience Blaze Aid was born to help fix destroyed fences. Nine months on from Black Saturday, 2700 long- and short-term Blaze Aid volunteers have completed 400 kilometres of fencing on 70 properties. Many volunteers have made their home on the Butlers’ property and meals are provided at what has become known as Kev’s Shed.

With true Aussie spirit, Blaze Aid volunteers work side-by-side with fire survivors, rebuilding not only their fences but also their spirits. A huge task still lies ahead with hundreds of kilometres of fencing still needing to be installed, but the Butler’s determination will help to strengthen the spirits of Victorians.

Topics: Australia, Australian of the Year Award, Blaze Aid founders, community, Department of Immigration and Citizenship, DIAC, Governance, society, Victoria, Victoria Local Hero

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