Fencers Without Boundaries winds up

After another very successful year the UGLN fire recovery fencing program 'Fencers Without Boundaries' (FWB) has finally come to an end.

SA Rotary volunteers fencing at Kinglake (2011)

Victorian Mobile Landcare Group (2010)

FWB stalwarts John Belfio and Alan Stafford at Sunday Creek (2011)

Fire affected landowners provided the fencing materials and UGLN provided the volunteer labour. For over three years volunteers with our fencing program contributed 3580 days to rebuild 246 KM of new fencing and remove 87.3 KM of burnt and damaged fencing on properties throughout Murrindindi and Mitchell Shires. 


Fencing off a wetland at Glenburn with CVA volunteers (2012)

Benalla High School students with
Uniting Church volunteers (2010)



International Bible Study volunteers with Alan helping to
fence off  the Spring Creek at Flowerdale (2012)

Funded by the Federal Governments 'Caring for our Country' and the 'Recycling for Recovery'
program, we were able to put tens of thousands of dollars back into the local community and small business' by sourcing local hotel and bunkhouse accommodation, catering and meals for our hardworking volunteers, quality tools and hardware from local suppliers, safety wear and PPE, the list goes on. 


Four Wheel drivers Marg, Geoff, Fred, Mitch and Ron. (2010)

We sourced volunteers from many areas and have been well supported by the Uniting Church, 4WD Clubs of Victoria, SA Rotary, Green Corp, Victorian Mobile Landcare Group, Benalla Secondary College, Hughes Creek Catchment Collaborative, Marcellin College, Conservation Volunteers Australia and International Bible Study Group Australia. As well as many corporate groups including NAB, ANZ, Earnst and Young, GPT Group, CPA and Cadbury.

NAB fencing at Kilmore East (2011)

ANZ volunteers removing burnt fences (2010)

Special mention must also go to the following individuals for the many, many days they volunteered towards our project: Alan Stafford, John Belfio, Neil Ireland, Lance Morrisby, Alan Diak, Tom Maddern, Chris Renwick, Rev. David Howie, all the Shepparton boys including Howard, Peter, Don, John E and John C, 4W drivers Geoff, Ron, Fred, Marg and Mitch, SA Rotarians Tony, Jannine, Brian, Kevin and Shirley and very sadly the late Glen Clement.

Shepparton boys having a break for lunch (2010)

Fencing volunteers and landowners at a 2011 get together.

In 2012 our priority was for fencing to protect native habitats such as waterways, native vegetation and revegetation sites. We built 31.8 KM of fencing on private land to protect riparian areas along the King Parrot, Spring, Mountain and Stony Creeks and also to protect over 20 hectares of remnant vegetation across the Kinglake Ranges.

Our equipment and volunteers are still being put to good use helping the Strath Creek Landcare Group with the fencing component of there biodiversity project.


Kevin Roberts (SA Rotary), Alan Stafford (Uniting Church) and Chris Cobern (UGLN)

Victorian Mobile Landcare Group

The Victorian Mobile Land Care Group are wonderful bunch of conservationalists who travel all over the state helping to improve our environment and assist whose in need .

They have plenty of fun together while doing this noble work .

We have been fortunate to have Doug Parke and his team return this year to help with bushfire recovery fencing at Gleburn & Kinglake.

Quote from VMLCG web site :

"On Saturday 11 September 2010 the Victorian Mobile Landcare Group was pleased to be able to complete a stint of fencing work with Jim and Beverly, farmers in the Yarra Valley (some 60 km out of Melbourne) who were severely affected by the Black Saturday bushfires in 2009.

The VMLCG was only too happy to help Jim and Beverly and we value the connections we have now made with them".
"We conduct this work as a partner to the Upper Goulburn Landcare Network's (UGLCN) efforts to coordinate fire recovery work in this area.
This type of work is also part of Landcare's "Fire Buddies" initiative, linking Landcare groups to aid recovery projects. We look forward to continuing our work in assisting farmers and the UGLCN in these efforts."

A nice letter

Mr. Chris Cobern
Fire Recovery Landcare Coordinator
Upper Goulburn Landcare Network
Shop 5/10 High Street
Yea, Vic., 3717


Dear Chris,

RE: FIRE RECOVERY PROJECTS


We would like to express our appreciation and thanks to the Management and Staff of the Upper Goulburn Landcare Network for the assistance rendered to us since the ‘Black Saturday’ Bushfires.

As you are aware, we suffered fire damage during the fires, and lost most of our fencing, trees and pasture. We were in dire straits here and were extremely thankful that you were able to kindly help us during this trying time.

Your untiring efforts on our behalf, in coordinating all aspects of the work are most appreciated, and we would ask that you pass on our thanks to all concerned. The assistance of staff from the NAB Bank was also appreciated, as well as the Victorian Mobile Landcare Group, and the other volunteers who attended with both yourself and Janet Hagen, to re-establish our fencing and plant trees, and we will be forever grateful.

Thank you once again.


Yours sincerely,


Beverly and Jim