The Bluelight Camp on Derby Hill in Maldon has been brought back to life after sitting dormant for years.
On Wednesday, a group of 20 local volunteers dedicated their time to clearing out the cobwebs, piles of dead leaves and debris from the old buildings, fixing plumbing and electrical issues. They were getting it ready for the Blaze Aid volunteers to help with critical bushfire recovery.
Local plumber Marty Mulholland and electrician Kirk Wojniusz volunteered their time to remedy plumbing and electrical issues.
The camp can accommodate 110 people, and while some of the Blaze Aid volunteers will bring their own caravans, they will be able to utilise the facilities and bathrooms at the camp for the next three months.
Leading the clean-up efforts was Maldon Lions Club member Renee Thompson, who has 36 years of experience with the CFA and 12 years with the Red Cross.
Mr Thompson said she is incredibly grateful to Mark Ward, the owner of the property and Noddy Pattern, the caretaker.
“Mostly, the rooms were just dusty and full of cobwebs and needed some love,” she said.
“We rang the shire on Wednesday morning to help with access to the property for the caravans, and within half an hour they turned up.”
Blaze Aid was established by Kilmore East farmers Kevin and Rhonda Butler out of the ashes of Black Saturday 2009. It is a volunteer-based organisation that works with families and individuals in rural Australia after natural disasters such as fires and floods.
Working alongside the rural families, the volunteers help to rebuild fences and other structures that have been damaged or destroyed.
Blaze Aid volunteer coordinator Lyn Rasmussen said they have more than 30 volunteers ready to help.
“We will be making our way to Maldon on Wednesday and are hoping to have the team out by Friday, dependent on the safety of the properties,” she said.
“So far, we have more than 30 jobs lined up, big and small, so when it’s safe to do so, the teams will help remove the damaged fence and put new ones up.
“The biggest problem we will have is with supply, as all of Victoria needs fencing, so if you want to pop down to your local supplier and get packs of steel posts and fencing wire, that would be great.
“And our volunteers will be taking lunches out with them, so slices, biscuits and fruit would be great.”
If you are interested in making donations, email Lyn at Lynrasmussen54@gmail.com
For more information, click here.