I joined Disaster Relief Australia in 2021 after seeing a news story on TV.
I’m a member of Tasmania’s Disaster Relief and Recovery Team and have deployed on four national operations as well as four short term operations within Tasmania. Of the four national operations, I often returned to the disaster recovery area multiple times, fulfilling multiple weeks of work.
My first deployment was Operation Mactier, named in honour of Private Robert Mactier and in response to extensive flooding across the state of Victoria in 2022.
I was on the first deployment wave of Operation Mactier in Maribyrnong in Melbourne – yes it was my first deployment and I still think of it as the best. I say that because I enjoy getting on the ground early. There is always lots of work to do and lots of volunteers. Interacting with the local residents and helping them start the process of recovery is very fulfilling. Wave one of Operation Mactier was the first time I worked with corporate and community volunteers as well. It was, I thought at the time, a great way to engage people who cannot commit to becoming a full Disaster Relief Australia volunteer. NAB had allowed their employees to come and help and they were a great asset to us. They fit into the strike teams perfectly, doing many jobs that were far from pleasant. A great credit to them.
I enjoy National Operations but getting out on the local operations is great as well as they are a great way to meet and socialise with members of the Tasmanian local Disaster Relief and Recovery Team and practice skills for the bigger operations. We also do some much needed local good. On one of our local short term operations I managed to get my Lions Club involved which was a great example of two groups of people coming together to help the community.
I recommend anyone who is interested to reach out for a chat. Who knows, you could well be a Disaster Relief Australia volunteer of the future.