What made you volunteer?
I was in Cairns during Yasi and helped neighbours fill sand bags, tape windows and secure everything. I then travelled to Melbourne. I was low on cash and looking for a WWOOFing host when I saw BlazeAid volunteers were needed. They had no restrictions, were so friendly on the phone and told me they had a place for me at evening tea. Growing up in a small town in Texas I was raised that if your neighbours need help, you go help.
What work are you doing?
Directly we are repairing and rebuilding fences and clearing debris. But more importantly we are repairing hope, clearing the negative and rebuilding livelihoods.
How long will you be staying up there?
Truly I have no idea how long I will stay, I’m not even sure what day today is!
Best part about the work?
The smiles on the faces of the families we help, the friends I have made, the beautiful countryside, the accomplishment of a fence line you couldn’t tell existed and now it’s either now standing cleared. Or a new fence glistening in the evening sun, and great Australian home-cooked food!
Recommend it to others?
Absolutely! I’ve posted that on couchsurfing forums. I definitely recommend BlazeAidvolunteering to travellers as it’s the best way to see and experience the real Australia.
Where have you traveled to in Australia?
I spent three months in Cairns, travelled to waterfalls, Cape Tribulation, the Tablelands and the Great Barrier Reef (including liveaboard where you see the true wonders of the reef). Then I travelled down to Townsville, across to Mount Isa, Tennant Creek, down to Alice springs, and MacDonnell Ranges, then to Uluru, Kings Canyon (my favorite hike) then to Coober Pedy, Flinders Ranges, Adelaide, Great Ocean Road, Phillip island, Melbourne, Bendigo and now Bridgewater. I have felt more of Australia here with BlazeAid than all the travels I have made.