When fire tore through the Buchan Valley in East Gippsland almost a month ago, people jumped into the Buchan River to survive.

Kangaroos followed them into the water to get away from the inferno.

One couple who left it too late to leave drove into a dam until the blaze passed.

Earlier, police had told Buchan farmer Craig Woodgate and his partner Lorreinne to leave, but they refused.

"We wouldn't go, I will never leave. Never, ever leave," Craig said.

The parched hills surrounding his home were torched and he could barely see his own hands in the smoky darkness, but Craig managed to save his home.

Craig Woodgate and his wife Lorraine have been storing hay on their property for neighbours to use at any time. ( ABC News: Rachel Clayton )

In the days that followed, cattle began roaming onto Craig's land looking for food.

If it weren't for the efforts of an army of volunteer truckies who have been delivering hay to fire and drought-affected properties like Craig's, the animals would have starved.

Craig still can't believe people give up their days to bring the hay his community so desperately needs.

"It's beautiful. I didn't even know there was any hay left in the state," he said.

"There are good people in this country."

A few kilometres down the road is the blackened property of Mick Roberts.

Mick was the first person killed in Victoria this fire season.

Mick Roberts died trying to defend his Buchan home from fire. ( Supplied )

Saturday would have been the father, grandfather and great-grandfather's 68th birthday.

Craig is now helping to look after Mick's farm, bringing hay to feed the livestock wandering around burnt paddocks.

But he's also coming to terms with the loss of his close friend.

Craig said everyone in town knew Mick and everybody loved him.

"It hasn't even sunk in yet. It's been a month and it really hasn't sunk in. We still expect him to drive up the road," Craig said.

"Sometimes you want to throw the towel in. But you can't, can you?

"You have to get through it."

The East Gippsland region was hit hard by bushfires in late December. ( ABC News: Steven Schubert )

Australia Day convoy a 'beautiful' sight for locals

On Sunday, about 100 truckies delivered feed to farmers in Buchan, Bega and Corryong; farmers they have met many times over the years.

Along the corridor of charity, local paramedics organised a barbecue at the livestock exchange in Bairnsdale.

As drivers lined up for a feed, paramedic Leigh served them grilled beef burgers with onions and coleslaw to say thank you.

Just a few weeks ago she was on the other side of the table, lining up for a meal after losing her home and flower farm in a fire that struck Sarsfield.

Jackie Abrehart and her husband Gary have done many hay runs. ( ABC News: Rachel Clayton )

Jackie and Gary Abrehart travelled from their home in Pakenham in Melbourne's south-east to deliver hay bales.

There's not much in it for them, except the good feeling that comes from helping others, said Gary, who's been shaking hands with farmers since Ash Wednesday in 1983.

They've already been out twice in the past month, travelling through roads flanked on one side with burning stumps, and with blossoming fern fronds on the other.

Drought, floods, fire increase demand for help

Don Petty has been involved with Need for Feed since the organisation began 14 years ago as a project of the Lions Club.

But extreme weather conditions around the country have escalated the need for the service.

"We do enormous runs now. We cover five states, because of drought, because of floods," Don said.

Don Petty (left) chats to Craig Woodgate on Australia Day. ( ABC News: Rachel Clayton )

But he's never seen anything like the desperation following this season's fires.

"It's been horrific," he said.

Thousands have applied for feed from the group, which is run solely by volunteers.

It can cost a truck driver between $500 and $1,000 to do one run — most of which comes straight from their own pockets.

About 100 volunteer truckies took part in the Australia Day hay run. ( ABC News: Steven Schubert )

But once they try it, giving becomes "addictive" and many truck drivers keep coming back to help, Don said.

Throughout the last few tough years, a special connection had formed between truck drivers and farmers.

Without them, the country would come to a standstill, he said.

"They deserve a medal," Don said.