The grant will provide vital support to farming communities impacted by the recent bushfires and assist with the ongoing recovery programs.
Soroptimist member Christine Rippon shared her firsthand experience as a BlazeAid volunteer and at the annual Soroptimist meeting earlier this year.
She spoke about how bushfires can set farmers back significantly, particularly when boundary fencing is destroyed and highlighted the continuing need for practical support in fire-affected areas.
“When fences are lost, it’s not just timber and wire that’s gone — it’s security, livelihoods and years of hard work,” Ms Rippon said.
“BlazeAid gives farmers practical help when they need it most, and this support from the Soroptimist Foundation will make a real difference to families still recovering from fire.”
Ms Rippon’s address inspired Ballarat branch secretary Fiona Tonkin to secure funding for BlazeAid’s on-ground recovery work.
BlazeAid is a volunteer-based organisation that supports families and individuals in rural Australia following natural disasters such as bushfires, floods, cyclones and droughts.
The organisation’s mission is to relieve the poverty, suffering and hardship experienced by disaster-affected communities through practical, hands-on volunteer assistance.
BlazeAid chief executive officer Melissa Jones, who is the daughter of BlazeAid founder and president Kevin Butler, welcomed the grant and confirmed the funding will directly support recovery efforts.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Soroptimist Foundation for this generous donation,” she said.
“These funds will go straight into the purchase of essential fencing materials and new replacement tools used daily by volunteers on the fence lines, helping farmers rebuild faster and get back on their land with confidence.”
