Lending a hand to the heartbroken

Albany’s Mike Hyder grew up in Batlow, a town that was deemed “undefendable” during the NSW bushfires.

His 94-year-old mother was evacuated to Canberra from her stone cottage in Batlow, which still stands. He does not know know if his childhood home is among the houses destroyed by fire.

Here in Albany, Mr Hyder said his heart was breaking for the bush he grew up in and communities he knew so well.

As a violin teacher, he and his colleagues Margaret Gunson and Margaret Crossen are hard at work with their fiddle group Just Fiddling raising money to help those affected by the bushfire crisis.

The Great Southern has been hit by fires too, and they want to help the communities closer to home.

Mr Hyder said the local brigades across the country had done amazing work, and it was time the city came together to help.

“My brother set up a video at my mother’s house and there is this one shot before the camera switches off of the trees exploding less than 20m from my mother’s house,” he said.

He will return to help his mother and his hometown in coming weeks when roads reopen and utilities are restored.

“I live in the bush in Little Grove and will join the brigade this year,” Mr Hyder said.

“These people are volunteers and give up their time and this is a huge effort and commitment especially if they have families.”

Just Fiddling kicked off their fundraising efforts by busking at the Albany Farmers Markets on Saturday, raising $2900 in an hour.

They will send $1900 of that over east and donate $1000 locally.

He said they had more fundraising events planned — including this Friday, when they would be busking outside the Scots Church on York Street at 11am.