Only 12 months on from becoming a volunteer at Disaster Relief Australia (DRA), Coleen Denne is impressed at how regularly she’s been able to get ‘boots on the ground.’
Since joining the Tasmanian Disaster Relief and Recovery Team, Colleen has been deployed twice to Victoria to assist with ongoing bushfire recovery efforts, as well as to Queensland to assist with Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
“I saw the work DRA volunteers were doing on the news and it compelled me to help. I wanted to be part of an organisation where I could make a difference, and be mobilised quickly,” said Coleen.
Working alongside many military veterans at DRA has been a meaningful experience for Coleen. A daily DRA tradition while on deployment, Colleen was selected to read The Ode at the Boolarra military memorial during Operation Marshall.
“It was a great honour to read The Ode as we lowered the flag after a hard day’s work. I don’t come from a military background, but it reminds me of all they fought for.
“It is a special DRA tradition. Afterwards we gather up and have dinner and share stories.”
Since joining DRA, Coleen has completed training courses which are offered to volunteers and is now proficient in maintaining and using chainsaws safely during her deployments.
“I often volunteer alongside people with decades of experience using chainsaws, so it is a very supportive environment and a great place to learn,” said Coleen.
“I’m constantly having new experiences through DRA and am now enjoy seeing familiar faces on each operation, some have even become my lifelong friends.
“All I can stay is that I wish I’d found out about DRA sooner.”
The Ode
They shall grow not old,
as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun
and in the morning
We will remember them.
