western australia

life threatening

Community service today - Removing burnt fencing

@JudyEv (381875)

Rockingham, Australia

January 19, 2016 4:48am CST

We enjoyed our day helping with the replacement of farm fences following the devastating fires in south-west Western Australia. Despite being a bit worried about not being able to be of any real assistance, the work wasn't hard although we're both healthily tired now. We, among others, were asked to pull out and roll up barbed and plain wires from fences that had been destroyed in the fires. It was sobering to see acres of burnt ground with fence-posts burnt or non-existent. We also passed several big sheds which had been destroyed leaving a mass of twisted metal and iron. The owner of the land brought round a huge water-melon about mid-morning so we all really enjoyed that. Soon after lunch we had a very heavy shower of rain. The mud caked on the soles of our shoes so I took a photo when I got home. I'll post it in the comment section. There has been heavy rain further south and localised flooding. After reading about the UK and USA's strange weather, it seems it might be West Australia's turn.

18 people like this

18 responses

@jaboUK (64346)

• United Kingdom

19 Jan 16

You and Vince must have been a big help, well done.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (381875)

• Rockingham, Australia

19 Jan 16

I was pleased that we weren't too 'outclassed' by the others. Actually they were mostly pretty close in age to us.

3 people like this

Anne Marie Guyer

@LeaPea2417 (40026)

• Toccoa, Georgia

20 Jan 16

That was nice that you got to help in the cleanup.

2 people like this

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Anne Marie Guyer

@LeaPea2417 (40026)

• Toccoa, Georgia

20 Jan 16

@JudyEv Yes, I am sure you did :)

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381875)

• Rockingham, Australia

20 Jan 16

Yes, we enjoyed it but we slept well last night.

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@salonga (27775)

• Philippines

19 Jan 16

How wonderful to hear you doing that community service and eating watermelon together is just as wonderful.

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@salonga (27775)

• Philippines

19 Jan 16

@JudyEv Huge slice of delicious watermelon! I wish I was there.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381875)

• Rockingham, Australia

19 Jan 16

We had a huge slice each. :) It was delicious.

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luisadannointed

@luisadannointed (11842)

• Philippines

20 Jan 16

I think you have a very long tiring day but productive. Eating time is the best after a very hard working hours with friends and co-workers. God bless.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381875)

• Rockingham, Australia

20 Jan 16

Thank you. I am pleased we went to help. We are going again tomorrow and Friday.

1 person likes this

@WorDazza (15826)

• Manchester, England

20 Jan 16

I had to do a double take when I saw the title of this post. In the UK the term Community Service is usually used to describe a sentence handed out to people who commit minor crimes. You didn't strike me as the type

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381875)

• Rockingham, Australia

20 Jan 16

Now you mention it - I think it's called that here too! Well, that's how far I am removed from such things!! I didn't even realise. Glad you thought I wasn't the type.

2 people like this

@TheHorse (238279)

• Walnut Creek, California

19 Jan 16

Did you get done what you hoped to get done?

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381875)

• Rockingham, Australia

19 Jan 16

Yes thanks. We can't go tomorrow but will go Thursday and Friday and hopefully some of next week as well.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381875)

• Rockingham, Australia

19 Jan 16

@JudyEv Here's a photo of one fence line part way through clearing it. There were actually 5 plain wires and 2 barbed but some have already been taken up. As you can see there isn't much left of the wooden posts.

2 people like this

@scheng1 (24649)

• Singapore

19 Jan 16

The rain should have come earlier to put out the fire. It is sad to see that forest fires and bush fires destroy so many beautiful plants and trees, while at the same time, flood destroys the same plants and trees in other countries.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381875)

• Rockingham, Australia

19 Jan 16

It seems a really crazy world sometimes doesn't it?

1 person likes this

Belle Starr (Iz)

@BelleStarr (61463)

• United States

19 Jan 16

I am glad that you were able to help replace the fencing I am sure it was appreciated.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381875)

• Rockingham, Australia

19 Jan 16

There were at least a dozen of us. This weekend around 50 more are coming from Perth. We can't go today but we hope to spend at least a few more days helping. It must be a help.

2 people like this

@LadyDuck (502208)

• Italy

19 Jan 16

We have a winter without rain, it rained two days from the beginning of October. It's not enough.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381875)

• Rockingham, Australia

19 Jan 16

I can hardly believe the weather we're suddenly having now. It has rained steadily all night and is still raining this morning. So un-typical for an Australian summer.

2 people like this

@AbbyGreenhill (45490)

• United States

19 Jan 16

Playing around with barbed wire isn't something I'd do, I can get cut just looking at it. I hope yu had nice heavy gloves.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381875)

• Rockingham, Australia

19 Jan 16

We did have gloves. The barbed was easier to roll up than the plain wire as it caught on itself mostly and stayed together better.

1 person likes this

@bluesa (15022)

• Johannesburg, South Africa

19 Jan 16

@JudyEv , I am glad you could help out. The damage fire can do is scary, I hope the rain is welcome for some and does not cause more flooding. I love watermelon, that would have been delicious during your break.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381875)

• Rockingham, Australia

19 Jan 16

This steady soaking rain we're now experiencing should do a lot to put out big logs etc that are still smoking with the potential to flare up on a windy day.

2 people like this

@Elizaby (6902)

• Pensacola, Florida

19 Jan 16

I think everywhere on this earth has been having strange weather this year.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381875)

• Rockingham, Australia

19 Jan 16

After reading many posts about strange weather I was beginning to think we had missed out but it seems not. :)

1 person likes this

@Scindhia (1906)

• India

20 Jan 16

It is such a wonderful initiative. Hope you achieved what you all attempted to achieve in the first place.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381875)

• Rockingham, Australia

20 Jan 16

We had a good day and got quite a bit done. We are going again for the next few days although it is now dependent a bit on the weather.

1 person likes this

@Ladypeace (2028)

• Singapore

19 Jan 16

There's nothing more beautiful than someone who goes out of their way to make life beautiful for others!

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381875)

• Rockingham, Australia

19 Jan 16

Thank you. That's a lovely thing to say.

2 people like this

@mom210 (9170)

• United States

21 Jan 16

that is so wonderful helping those folks out in a time of trouble. great job

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381875)

• Rockingham, Australia

21 Jan 16

Thanks. We're off again shortly for our third day. Then we won't be able to go for a few days due to other commitments.

1 person likes this

@sueznewz2 (10409)

• Alicante, Spain

23 Jan 16

What a great thing to do.... I think it's good there is community spirit and people are still willing to help otherz.... well done you... and it'secen better when youcan sed the difference you've made... Thanks for the slideshow....

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381875)

• Rockingham, Australia

23 Jan 16

Glad you enjoyed the slideshow. We did feel that we had done something worthwhile.

1 person likes this

@boiboing (13147)

• Northampton, England

19 Jan 16

As the saying goes, it never rains but it pours.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381875)

• Rockingham, Australia

19 Jan 16

That's true and it's continuing to pour in some areas.

1 person likes this

@Auntylou (4262)

• Oxford, England

19 Jan 16

It is good to know that your community helps each other. Is the rain needed in your part of Oz?

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381875)

• Rockingham, Australia

20 Jan 16

It won't hurt although it has washed away acres of vegetable crops but such heavy rain isn't expected in our summer. Our rainwater tank is now overflowing so that's a good thing.

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@JudyEv (381875)

• Rockingham, Australia

20 Jan 16

@Auntylou There is nothing like a good rain to freshen up the garden and hurry it along.

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@Auntylou (4262)

• Oxford, England

20 Jan 16

@JudyEv And your seedlings will have had a good drink!

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