Inverell Sunrise CWA Branch members put on a delicious feast for BlazeAid volunteers at Freckles on Wednesday evening to say a heart-felt thank you.
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On the menu was a much-requested classic of corned beef and white sauce with vegetables. Dessert options were sticky-date pudding or apple crumble and custard.
A BlazeAid camp was established in Inverell to rebuild hundreds of kilometres of fence line destroyed by the Tingha Plateau Fire in February.
Sunrise CWA members heard about BlazeAid through different community organisations who had done some catering for them.
"We did some investigating and reached out. They were very grateful to hear we wanted to cook for them and put in some food requests," secretary, Jane Hunter said.
As a Sunrise CWA member Jenny Thomas offered her business Freckles up as the perfect location to host the hard-working volunteers.
Members thought a change in scenery might be nice from volunteers' usual showground dining area where the camp is set up.
Woolworths Inverell kindly donated all food needed during Jane's grocery shop. CWA members then cooked at home and brought the feast to Freckles.
"It was so lovely for Woolworths to donate the groceries."
To top off the night, Sunrise CWA announced they were donating fencing materials to BlazeAiders after the success of their Boys Matter Too event.
Jane said the Boys Matter Too workshops were held around the same time the fire ripped through the Tingha Plateau.
We purchased four rolls of plain wire and two rolls of barb wire.
- Jane Hunter.
"We felt it was not appropriate to use the funds for any other project so we decided to purchase wire for BlazeAid.
"We purchased four rolls of plain wire and two rolls of barb wire. Elders Inverell then generously threw in another two rolls of barb wire to make it an even eight," she said.
More than 115 volunteers have come through the Inverell BlazeAid camp since being set up. Having already completed rebuilds on 27 properties, volunteers will cease fencing on August 18.
From then on volunteers will strip and re-pack trailers and containers to be sent to the next disaster relief camp.
Sunrise CWA members thanked BlazeAid for the work they've done to help local residents.