What a terrible few days we have had here in South Australia due to the bush fires, along with the rest of the nation. Our heartfelt praise and thanks go out to the CFS, SES and SAPOL who worked in horrendous conditions to save life, homes and battle the fires.

Open Gardens SA established a Bushfire Fund a couple of years ago and we feel that it is important to use these funds to assist in rebuilding our communities. There is an organisation called BlazeAid that takes a very practical, hands-on approach in this process. BlazeAid is a volunteer-based organisation that works with families and individuals in rural Australia after natural disasters such as fires and floods. Working alongside these families, volunteers help to rebuild fences and other structures that have been damaged or destroyed. Equally important, volunteers also help to lift the spirits of people who are often facing devastating losses through bushfires. BlazeAid volunteers work in a disaster-affected area for many months, not only helping individuals and families, but also helping rebuild the local communities. BlazeAid has announced they will be setting up a base camp at Lobethal in the Adelaide Hills in early January.

Open Gardens SA has been in contact with BlazeAid and we will be providing our Bushfire Fund money in the form of a donation towards the rebuilding work BlazeAid will be coordinating here in South Australia. We are confident these funds will be put to excellent use in assisting our communities in need. The fires have been a dreadful event, and this is exactly the situation for which these funds were put aside – and now is the time to use them.