Published on Thursday, 19 May 2022 at 8:35:24 AM
As Australia celebrates National Volunteer Week 2022 this week, the Denmark Shire Council has a special message of thanks for the hundreds of volunteers who pitched in during the bushfire emergency earlier this year.
On behalf of Shire of Denmark staff, Councillors and community, Shire President Ceinwen Gearon wished to give a heartfelt thank you to all who volunteer locally in any capacity.
“In a normal year, the volunteers of Denmark keep our town lively but this year, they actually saved our town,” Cr Gearon said.
During the bushfire event in February, volunteers snapped into action at a moment’s notice.
“I think a lady at the Country Women’s Association got a call for meals assistance at 5am on the day after the fire started. Before you knew it, the women of the CWA were cooking up a storm for the firefighters and incident command team,” Cr Gearon said.
“People came from far and wide to not only volunteer alongside our local volunteer firefighters, but also to help rebuild fences on properties with BlazeAid after the fire tore through.”
“That’s not to mention the vollies from local organisations like SES, Airport Association, St John Ambulance, Denmark Community Foundation, Denmark Community Resource Centre and, of course, our incredible bushfire volunteers.”
Cr Gearon reserved a special mention for Lez Baines, who takes an enormous amount of responsibility in his volunteer role as Chief Bushfire Control Officer for the Shire of Denmark.
“Lez does our community a critical service through his volunteering role as our Chief Bushfire Control Officer,” Cr Gearon said.
“Supported by his deputies, Nigel Marsh and Shane Howlett, Lez works incredibly hard in a critical role which I think most people would be surprised to know is entirely volunteer-based.”
“I think our community would agree that Lez deserves a special shout out of appreciation.”
Cr Gearon added that volunteers who work in sports, arts and other community initiatives also had an important role to play as the community recovers from the stress of the bushfire emergency.
“Thanks to their fast-thinking, knowledge, initiative, creativity and big hearts, the volunteers of Denmark – no matter their role, all played a crucial role in helping our town to get through the bushfire emergency and recovery process.”
“We cannot thank them enough.”
A Volunteer Appreciation Celebration will be held locally for volunteers next month. Details to come.
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