b' Club SpotlightMelbourne Jeep Owners ClubBlazeAid weekendThe weekend of the 8th& 9thof dangerous, burnt through the core and We grouped together to discuss theFebruary saw anotherBlazeAidsupport some even appeared to have warped course of action and quickly began thetrip conducted by the Melbourne Jeep due to the heat of the flames. The task at hand, which in some case,Owners Club, this time heading over MJOC crew had at least 4 members required a gentle pull with drag chain450km north of Melbourne to the fire with their chainsaws and accreditation, and extension strap, and then reducingravaged Corryong area. The team and were paired up with a spotter and the size of the tree to more manageableconsisting of members Robert Sharp, began the work of clearing just over 90 pieces. As the day progressed, theRonald Maskell, Ian Fletcher, Jeremy trees that were deemed dangerous. The chainsaws were taking their toll on theOlney, Alan Turner, Lyle Potgieter and team got started early whilst the weather arms and shoulders but we finallynew member Aaron Stockton (on his and wind was in their favour with a huge achieved the days goal shortly aftervery first trip with MJOC) set out in portion completed by lunchtime. 4pm when we packed up, said ourconvoy Friday afternoon and arrived Ross & Jan invited us up to the house to farewell (but not goodbye) to Ross andshortly before midnight to immediately have our lunch and Jan kindly made a Jan who were visibly overwhelmed withset up camp and get some needed rest, batch of her excellent scones with jam & the help and support for their home asready for the following days work. Day cream and put on the coffee for us. It was every other recipient of support1 began as every day did with a hearty was a great opportunity for us to get to from Blazaid Volunteers. As we drovebreakfast put together by the local know Ross & Jan better and allowed back to camp for a shower, refreshmentLyons Club & Rotary Club followed by a them the opportunity to unburden and and even on the 5 hour long drivedaily mandatory safety briefing from Bill share of their horrifying experience home, the discussions revolved around(BlazeAid Corryong Coordinator). The which they were thankful for us just to when our next BlazeAid trip will be, whatMJOC club members were then split up listen. Ross told of the final moment we need and even the return tointo pairs and allocated to support before they were evacuated by the Corryong to check in on Ross & Janseparate BlazeAid crews sent out to Police as he made a last minute dash and help another few families in thevarious farmers and land owners towards the flames carrying a jerry can area that need peoples help support.affected by the bushfires that savagely of unleaded petrol to top up the water It was long, hard work the entire week-swept through the area. It was the first pump that was pumping water from the end, but I know that every volunteer felttime the teams could see the magnitude river to the sprinklers on the roof that their time and effort spent wasof devastation the fires had caused the protecting their home as Jan and the extremely rewarding and will certainly,township and surrounding area having family dog were driven off to the in our opinion, be the way wed like toarrived in darkness the night before and evacuation area by Police. Its hard to show our support, both physically andwe quickly realized the huge task at comprehend what the people of financially, to communities in need andhand, which gave our teams a great Corryong and other communities affected will gladly do it again in some of theopportunity to see the diverse tasks that by the recent bushfire disasters have numerous trips already planned forwere required at different properties and had to endure, and although I can only further community support to BlazeAidthe equipment being used in these speak for myself, it certainly put things and other community areas in need,tasks. The teams assisted mainly in into perspective for me as Im sure it did and strongly encourage those who areremoving burnt or destroyed fencing, every other MJOC team member and all considering supporting those affectedinstalling Strainer posts, fence posts, the volunteers working around the by disasters to get on board and helpstar pickets and fencing wire to several numerous sites around Australia. After any way they can.properties. lunch was done, we set about tackling 3 Id like to thank everyone who helpedOn day 2 of this weekend the MJOC problem trees together that posed a make this particular trip happen, andcrew were brought together for a more significant threat by their sheer look forward to working with otherparticular BlazeAid project at Ross & size, their direction of lean and the core Melbourne Jeep Club members in futureJans property after the fires lapped at damage sustained by the fire which pre- community projects.their door prior to them being evacuated vented traditional methods of tree felling Ronald Maskellby Police. The fires tore through Ross & being employed.Jans property rendering many treesTRACKWATCH MARCH 202013'