After receiving the Agriculture Town of The Year 2022 award, Mypolonga was hit by flooding which inundated local farms and properties.

Fences surrounding paddocks and properties were damaged, livestock was impacted and irrigation systems ruined.

Some farmers were forced to move or sell stock to prevent further losses as they struggled to repair the damage.

BlazeAid, a volunteer organisation founded in Victoria which assists communities affected by natural disasters, has now set up in Mypolonga to help locals re-establish kilometres of fencing.

“The flood in 2022 has caused debris to wash up all along the river, rotting wires, broken fence boards, and damaged properties,” said Sue Jackson, a coordinator with the BlazeAid Mypolonga project.

Work began last week, with 17 volunteers and a small group of staff and administrators helping the riverside community.

Andy O’Donohue, who has been a coordinator with BlazeAid for more than 10 years, said, that about 12 property owners had applied for re-fencing and more were expected in coming weeks.

O’Donohue advised property owners to register early to help with the organisation’s logistics and to shorten the time it will take to complete the repairs. The project is schedule to end by April.

He also hopes that more people will volunteer to help the Mypolonga community, and  encourages more young people to volunteer as an opportunity to work outside and learn about agriculture in South Australia.

Volunteers are placed in groups of four to six people, with a few volunteers with fencing or vineyard experience on each team, and live at a camp established by BlazeAid. Volunteers under 18 years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The organisation is also looking for food donations, such as biscuits or cakes, or people to transport tools and equipment to and from the camp.

Volunteers are asked to contact BlazeAid at 0409 979 111 at least two days before arriving. Property owners in need of re-fencing aid can call 0477 488 841.