Samaritan's Purse volunteers departed the region last Friday after three and a half weeks of recovery work. The Christian non-profit organisation had volunteers travel from across the country, including Ingham in north Queensland and Newcastle and Taree in New South Wales.
Volunteers cleared debris from building sites and fence lines. They also used chainsaws to clear fallen or burnt trees, often sorting timber that could be repurposed for firewood. The group also carried out ash sifting, helping fire-affected residents recover mementos and personal items where possible.
"People were quite overwhelmed when you find a ring or something... it's very rewarding," he said.
Glenise and Roger Thurecht were among the first to receive help.
"Seven men put in a day clearing our back paddock of timber that was down," Roger said.
Samaritan's Purse partnered with churches in Castlemaine, Harcourt and Longwood, as well as across regional Victoria, to support bushfire-affected families.
Volunteers began their days at 5.30am, working on sites from 8am through to the afternoon.
Samaritan's Purse worked on more than 45 properties over the three-and-a-half-week deployment. Volunteer Clayton Cowley described the effort as an "injection of hope."