Assistance for Bushfire Victims

WA Bushfires

As you would be aware there have been a number of devastating bushfires across our state in recent weeks. The Sheep's Back have recently sent out a great email with details of how we can help the victims and information on rebuilding after a fire. Thank you to them for compiling this information. We thought it important to distribute through our network as well as the Bridgetown/Hester fire has directly affected some of our Members and many others would have family and friends affected by it as well as the other fires around the state.

Below are details of the organisations who are co-ordinating assistance and donations for each of the areas affected by fires. If you are able to help at all please get in contact with them as we all know living in rural communities that this could happen to any one of us. 

The Sheep's Back also have a wealth of information available for affected producers on managing and rebuilding after a fire. A selection of those articles are linked below. Scroll down or use the index above to jump to the relevant section.

The Sheep's Back

The Sheep’s Back's is AWI's producer network in Western Australia and their mission is to champion the Western Australian Merino sheep industry and improve grower confidence and their capacity to make better and timelier decisions.

The Sheep's Back delivers information to WA wool producers and other industry representatives on a network of over 2100 contacts via newsletters, workshops, timely text reminders, major events such as Sheep Easy and more.

To find out more about The Sheep's Back you can head to their website at https://sheepsback.com.au/ 

AWI Shearing Trailer

Australian Wool Innovation has organised a shearing trailer for producers who have lost their shearing sheds or do not have access to one from their property.
It is a self-contained, 2-stand unit which has been delivered to Merredin and will head out as required.
If you require the shearing trailer please contact your local response coordinator (see below).  It doesn’t matter if you need it ASAP or in a month’s time, it is likely to be available for a long time.  The Sheep's Back will work with your response team to share it around with all affected producers.

Bridgetown / Hester

The Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes is coordinating support for farmers affected by the fires in the Bridgetown and Hester Brook areas.  They are compiling all offers of agistment, grain, hay, fencing and general offers of support.
Please contact them on (08) 9761 0800 or email btnshire@bridgetown.wa.gov.au. 
Ask for Tanya Lockley.

Corrigin / Bruce Rock

The Shire of Corrigin is coordinating support for farmers affected by the fires in the Corrigin and Bruce Rock areas.  They are compiling all offers of agistment, grain, hay, fencing and general offers of support.
 You can contact them on (08) 9063 2203 or email shire@corrigin.wa.gov.au.
Please be aware that most short term agistment in this area is now sorted.  Offers of longer term agistment would be greatly appreciated.

Narrogin / Wickepin

Facey Group is coordinating support for farmers affected by the fires east of Narrogin / south of Wickepin.  They are compiling all offers of agistment, grain, hay, fencing and general offers of support.
Please contact them on
(08) 9888 1223 or email Facey Group at admin@faceygroup.org.au.

Denmark

The Shire of Denmark is coordinating support for farmers affected by the Denmark fire.  They are compiling all offers of agistment, grain, hay, fencing and general offers of support.
 Please contact them on (08) 9848 0300 or email enquiries@denmark.wa.gov.au.

Farm Resources for Affected Producers

• Managing Sheep in Containment After Fire: 
  https://www.wool.com/globalassets/wool/land/bushfires/managing-sheep-in-containment-areas-2020.pdf
   
• Stock Water After Fire: 
  https://www.wool.com/globalassets/wool/land/bushfires/awi-stock-water-2020.pdf
   
• Soil Health and Recovery After Bushfire: 
  https://www.wool.com/globalassets/wool/land/bushfires/soil-health-and-pasture-recovery-fact-sheet_21.pdf
   
• Valuable Information Resources for Dry Times: 
  ttps://www.wool.com/about-awi/media-resources/news/valuable-information-resources-for-dry-times/
   
• Shearing Shed Design: 
  https://www.wool.com/people/shearing-sheds-and-sheep-yards/shearing-shed-design/
   
• Sheepyard Designs: 
  https://www.wool.com/people/shearing-sheds-and-sheep-yards/sheep-yards/

Look After Yourself Too

The bushfires have had severe impacts on the mental wellbeing across many Western Australian communities.  If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out to a friend or family member.  There are also a range of mental health services:

• Beyond Blue – 1300 224 63
• Lifeline – 13 11 14
• Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800