July Updates

From Leigh Wren - Deliveries 25/07/2009 and 26/07/2009

For those of you who wonder how it all works, here's a brief outline of how and what takes place.

During the days leading up to a weekend, a lot of phone calls, emails and general inquiries are either made or answered. TREW receives queries from individuals, community groups, and government agencies asking about assistance we may be able to provide.
A list of people from those who have contacted the girls on the committee, and those who have contacted me personally, is collated.
More phone calls are made, generally to the individuals on that list. This gives us an initial opportunity to assess individual needs, and also allows us to establish initial contact. This is very important, as 'cold calling' on someone under the current circumstances can be very uncomfortable for all concerned.

Come Saturday I have a list of people, their addresses and contact details. I leave home early in the morning and head off up to the mountains, (about an hour from my place). I like to meet everyone the day before deliveries. I do this because it gives everyone an opportunity to get the 'awkwardness' out of the way. For some, initial introductions to a stranger who has imposed on their lives at such a difficult time can be awkward.

I also like to meet people before I deliver goods because it gives me a perfect opportunity to gauge their needs properly. Most people haven't any idea how long their fence lines are, or have forgotten something they may need. Anyway, Saturdays are spent listening to their account of the day, measuring fence lines, patting their horse/s, and generally making new friends.
I head back home, more often than not at night, and start loading the truck for Sunday's deliveries. After going through the lists of required goods and loading the truck, it's usually around midnight before I climb into bed.

Up early on Sunday. The best day of them all! Sunday is the day that all deliveries are made and promises are kept. Having met people the day before, it is as if I am going to visit a friend. People are happy and excited to see me arrive, and that initial unease is not present, due to the work put in in the days leading up to this day.

Goods are unloaded and hugs and handshakes are dished out. Those who know me know this ain't my thing! But what can ya do?! Deliveries tend to take more time than the initial visit. Explanations on how things work are required i.e. the Horserail 'Hotcoat'. As you will see from one of the photos below, deliveries often continue well into the night.

Deliveries complete, it's time to head home and go to bed! Tomorrow is Monday and we'll start all over again.

I feel it important to mention that this has, is, and will continue to be, a joint effort. The girls on the TREW committee continue to carry out this and other duties on a daily basis.
For most of you who do not see what goes on behind scenes, let me tell you this.....if you think that what I complete on a weekly basis is a fair bit, not to mention holding down a full time job and running my own property, imagine all this tenfold. Then and only then will you begin to understand the effort and dedication put in by all of those girls who are TREW!

"And then some"

Makes me proud to be a part of this amazing team.

Anyway, off the soap box and back on to the topic at hand.

Deliveries went well as expected, and new TREW friends were made. Here's a couple of photos from the days deliveries.

Everyone who has agreed to have their picture taken has done so to say thanks, to not only TREW, but also to those who have generously given goods to be donated towards our fire relief effort.

Others were tended to, but were a little camera shy. All up, another 10 or so families assisted this weekend. Well that's it for this installment. Hope you all enjoyed both the update and the insight.

In the past we donated items and funds to assist the Kinglake Riding/Pony Club. They now have their external fence up and I thought it a great opportunity to show you all part of the rebuild process.



See you all next time...

Leigh Wren
TREW Committee

From Leigh Wren - Deliveries 12/07/2009

Due to family commitments I was only able to meet, greet and deliver on Sunday of this weekend. I only had one day but I did my best to make it count. Hope you enjoy the update and pictures.

First stop for the day was Barb's place. Myself, St. Jude and Peter Borgdorff, (Equine Dentist), had arranged to meet Barb and give her the TREW treatment. I got there first and unloaded some of the donated "Horserail" materials, and presented Barb with some riding apparel that was recently shipped down from NSW thanks to the great team at Valley Country. As Barbs place is on a boundary to a State park, the concern was how long it would be before the fence was rebuilt. I spoke to a representative from BlazeAid, and with their assistance, the fence will be quickly replaced.




Dr. Jude soon arrived along with her merry band of helpers, (Virginia from across the road, Merryn, and Peter). Peter started on the teeth, and Jude gave the horses the once over, worming, and a quick jab with the needle.

Anyway couldn't stand around here all day so off I went to Yarra Glen. Met up with Michelle Harper, (Yarra Glen & District Pony Club), and her husband. I was given a tour of the facilities and the grounds and I must say this club will be quite a place when all plans have been completed.

Michelle thought it important to take a picture with a burnt tree in it. The concern was that with all the green grass around now, some may not realise they were burnt out at all.

Back in the truck and back to Kinglake. Met with Amanda who was very grateful for the donated goods, but was a little camera shy.

Next was Tonya. Tonya was concerned about me being able to get out of her property due to the mud and the size of my truck. I must admit I shared her concerns. Her husband Dale met with me at the pub and wouldn't let me go until he'd bought me a beer. Couldn't say no to that could I? Just one though.

Down to Pheasant Creek, and on the way stopped off at Vicki's place. Vicki's house was still there, but unfortunately everyone around her lost their homes, including the restaurant next door. All of Vicki's infrastructure was lost, (shed, fences, etc). Tim her neighbor lost the lot. Bloody nice bloke who is like the rest, smiling and happy to still be here.

Back to Whittlesea to grab a bite to eat and to make a couple of phone calls (I don't have very good coverage on the mountain).

Jude had told me about a woman in Yea that would most likely be in need of TREW's assistance. I rang her, and quizzed her about her needs. After a short chat I was off again. This time heading to Yea! It was dark when I got there, and there was heaps of this wet stuff falling from the sky (??). Anita was happy to see me none the less. Anita owns the miniature on Jude's first "Fire Clip" and Jude was scheduled to arrive here Monday.

**Note this day!! This was the day I got there before Jude!!**

Well that's it. From Whittlesea to Kinglake, Pheasant Creek and Flowerdale, Yarra Glen to Yea. Eight more families, and one more Pony Club better off due to TREW's assistance, and this doesn't take into account those who Jude visited. Details from Dr. Jude when she sits still long enough to document her weekend's work! Leigh Wren TREW Committee

Farrier/Vet Dr. J. Mulholland

Jude continues to make visits to the fire affected areas to follow up on cases, and visit new ones on the referral of locals from within the communities. Jude can be contacted on 0408 565528.

From Leigh Wren - Deliveries 04/07/2009

Big day today with deliveries of fencing materials and other assorted items being delivered to a number of families throughout the fire affected areas. I met more wonderful characters, and they are all very grateful to TREW for their continued generosity and support. I have been asked to relay their gratitude to everyone at TREW.

It amazes me more every time I venture up onto the mountain. The people I meet are nothing short of heroes. Loss, political hurdles, red tape, etc, and yet they still smile. Bloody amazing!

Anyway, quite a bit of the donated Horserail materials were handed out today, along with water troughs and general tack. Fence-lines were measured for a number of families who did not know how much fencing would be required for their properties. All up, approximately a dozen families and individuals were assisted by TREW in some way shape or form throughout the course of the days events. Deliveries and visits are ongoing with the next round being scheduled next weekend.

I've included a couple of photo's to try and demonstrate to you all the courage, tenacity and resilience of these truly great individuals.

This is Barb, and does she have a story to tell. Barb is a local character. She has a number of Arabs. On the day of the fires this gutsy little woman who works in Flowerdale managed to get back to her property in Kinglake, 'dug in', and was determined to fight to protect her home, her belongings and her horses. As they were fleeing, some of the locals witnessed Barb in the middle of her paddock, fighting to protect her horses.

Barb saved all but two of her horses, but unfortunately she lost ALL of her possessions including her home. Talking to her today was an experience I personally won’t forget. Barb talks of the lost human lives with compassion, but breaks down in tears when discussing her lost horses. An absolute gem!

Barb is renowned for driving her old Ford Fairlane around town. This car has been referred to as a bit of a heap but Barb would never part with it. Little did she know that this car would end up saving her life. Unfortunately her car was damaged during the fires so if anyone knows a good panel-beater…
Note the obvious bond between Barb and her No. 1 boy.

Thought I might mention that up on the mountain today was BLOODY COLD,wet and muddy! Which was actually a nice change of scenery for me, but it is obviously making life a little more uncomfortable for those still on the mountain. At times the fog was so thick I had to stop pacing out fence lines because I couldn't see where I was going. I felt like a right pillock!

Leigh Wren
TREW Committee
Go Horserail!!

Fire Relief