TREW Fire Relief Home Page

From Tanya Meldrum - TREW General Secretary

TREW's Crisis Network project had been on our 'to do' list for quite some time. Little did we know that just a few short days after establishing the new 'Crisis Network' web page, that it would become such a focal point and instrumental tool in the ensuing days of the 'Black Saturday' bushfires in Victoria. As I watched the events unfold on that disastrous day, I felt both helpless and vulnerable, like so many others, not just in Victoria, but interstate and around the world.

Offers of assistance and donations literally flooded in from Day One, and it took a superhuman effort from our entirely volunteer team to process and deal with each and every one. It has been a harrowing and emotional experience for all involved, and I know I have shed more than my fair share of tears throughout this tragedy. Reflecting back on it all, I truly marvel at the generosity of people and their ability to band together in such circumstances.

I know I speak for all the people who have been involved so heavily in TREW's bushfire relief effort, in saying that the one motivation that has kept us working day after day, through both physical and emotional exhaustion, is knowing we have the ability to make a difference in the lives of the equines and their owners. We have put ourselves in their shoes, and given the care and concern that we would hope to receive, should we ever be placed in such dire circumstances with our beloved horses and pets.

From a personal point of view, hearing the relief in the voices of distressed owners when they are told we have a vet on the way, or have a float arranged to move their horses to safety, or have the feed and supplies they require, is all the reward I will ever need.

My heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who has given so much, and my condolences and best wishes to those who have lost so much, and are beginning the long process of rebuilding their lives.

Horsefloat convoy photo taken by Rebecca Tedder

From Deirdre Oswald - TREW Treasurer

Five weeks ago today, and goodness, doesn't that seem a lifetime away. I was preparing for another day at home, because of the hot condtitions, and expecting to do some catching up on various tasks. Instead, like many others, I became swept along by the overwhelming horror that began to unfold, and wondered where it would end, and what could I do to help.

Expressing thanks from TREW, to those who registered as being able to give assistance to fire affected horse owners was one area I could help with, as well as monitoring the donations being directed to TREW, specifically for Fire Relief efforts. The responses both for the Assistance Register, and of donations from around the world were swift, and utterly amazing, and provided to the TREW Committee a level of energy and support that surely enabled each of us to keep going in our own particular field, in the face of such an unexpected and major task.

I will never forget some of the telephone conversations with wonderful people, who felt like 'family' and yet, who I had never met, as so many were drawn together in an attempt to 'make a difference'. I am proud to have been a small part of that attempt, and my sincere thanks go to all involved, and to all those who offered assistance, be it practical or financial.

I am sure that every one of us who were lucky enough not to be directly affected by this disaster, send good thoughts and hearfelt sympathy to those who suffered loss and heartache as a result of the fires, and wish them well for their future.

Fire Relief