BlazeAid volunteers will descend on Jingellic tomorrow for an intensive bushfire recovery effort that almost couldn't go ahead due to border closure issues.
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President Kevin Butler said a Walwa or Jingellic BlazeAid camp had been on the cards for a long time.
But with COVID-19 outbreaks in parts of Victoria and the NSW-Victoria border closure, it was a real battle to ensure the recovery effort could go ahead.
It wasn't until the NSW government changed the requirements of the 'poorly done' agriculture border permits last week, that Mr Butler was able to breathe a sigh of relief knowing volunteers could reach the camp.
"It was unbelievable news," he said.
"I was exasperated, the locals up in Jingellic had been waiting so long and were so patient and I kept promising them... but gees we were up against the wind with the border lockdown."
Mr Butler said BlazeAid planned to stay in Jingellic until the next bushfire season starts in about October.
He said the volunteer effort had been boosted by an influx of interest and donations after the organisation was awarded the Commonwealth Point of Light beacon award by Queen Elizabeth II.
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Mr Butler said the award 'came out of left field' but was a great pick-me-up for the group.
"It's been really tough but we've stayed in the game," he said.
"It's a wonderful thing, for BlazeAid to have recognition internationally from the Queen is really out of the world."
Mr Butler said in the current climate the organisation was acutely aware of the risk outsiders posed to communities and were being extremely strict in their COVID-19 protocols.
Mr Butler said the "worst thing that could happen is BlazeAid... be a petri dish for COVID-19".
He said only people from parts of NSW and Victoria without coronavirus outbreaks were allowed to attend the camp.
"People coming to BlazeAid have to get COVID tested and quarantine in their van until the results arrive," he said.
"Then we have to stay in the bubble. Once they're at Blaze Aid they can't be going to the pub every night, they've got to stay in BlazeAid."
Mr Butler said because of the changes to the agriculture permits the camp was also able to help farmers across the border in Walwa.
"It's going to be a terrific win for the Jingellic-Walwa community," he said.
"It's been a battle to get Jingellic up and going... but there's been lots and lots of interest and it will go on for months. There's a lot of work still to be done."
Mr Butler said volunteers would undertake three main projects while they're in Jingellic; fence repairs, grass seed reestablishment and paddock tree planting.