Grey nomads urged to help Lockyer flood victims

[Kit Kat]

A charity is again appealing for grey nomads to give their time to help a community in Queensland's Lockyer Valley recovering from flooding.

BlazeAid, which has been helping flood-hit communities in the state's Burnett region, plans to open a work camp in the Lockyer Valley by the end of the month.

Murgon camp coordinator Alison Mortenson says older retirees have been the backbone of relief efforts so far.

"We get the occasional farmer but basically most of them have got so much work going on on their own property that it's more like they'll help the neighbour," she said.

"The two neighbours will get together and help each other like that.

"Most of our volunteers are what we call the grey nomads - they've got free time and they come and give their free time and help these other people.

Source: ABC News. Read more here: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-04-15/g ... ection=qld

[madiesmum]

hope they organize a place to stay too cause free camping if sparse here.

[homeless]

AM
We will not set up a camp unless there is an area such as a show ground or scout camp etc where we can have room for the people to camp free for the time they stay to help, and also there must be a shed pavilion etc where the morning muster can be done (breakfast and a safety talk before heading out to work) and hopefully the same area where the night meal can be prepared and eaten. Also this area acts as a HQ for administration and where the farmers come to register and also again to meet the crews on the first day when work is started on their farms.
Also there must be an area where the tools etc can be stored and maintained.
All this must be in the same area so need to worry.
We have had several towns where we intended to start sites where it was either cancelled or postpone until these things were met.
We also have a current site that will be closed early because of the local mayor having his nose put out of joint and is working against Blazeaid because he feels he is not getting the recognition (face on TV and in papers) that he deserves.
We always appreciate that the town where we setup a site the local people accept the workers and greet them with a wave and a hello as they are there to help the community and all are volunteers and giving their time for free.
In different areas the volunteers do vary but most are grey nomads and then a fair percentage of the foreign tourist that many complain about and then there is the local people who are able to help out. Many volunteers are repeat returns as many of us roll up each year and many travel from one site to the other as they travel. eg spend a few weeks in one site and then move to another in the direction of their travels.
Anyone wondering what it is like just call into a site for a day or so and see if you can leave at your first intended date LOL. The satisfaction and feel good that you get from helping a stranger out is hard to describe but all come away with the feeling that they have done something good and cant wait to get back. I have seen people come for a week and still be there months later.

Regards
Brian