baz reflection operation dexterI joined DRA in 2018, with my first deployment being Operation McLeod in late 2018/early 2019. Since then I have come back for six more deployments! It’s good to be back in same community as part of Operation Dexter as we help recovery efforts within the Rosedale community and surroundings.

20 months on, this place really has a different vibe about it. The countryside is green, and the community feels more alive and upbeat. This is in vast comparison to when I was here on my first deployment.  Everything was burnt, the community was in shock and the veterans they helped, many of whom had spent their life savings to retire in the area, had lost almost everything.

I feel privileged and very much humbled, to be able to come back again, This is the most I’ve ever been looked after on a Wave. To have one person who takes care of us and makes sure we are fed after a day in the heat on the tools is just amazing and it very much feels like a family.

 

Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) responded in the community of Rosedale left devastated by bushfires in 2019. Many residents lost houses, sheds, stables, fences, stock and the clean up efforts are ongoing.

There are stories that pull on your heart strings and bring you back to earth with an admiration of humanity. Aaron Nimmo is a wonderful human being who we could sit and listen to all day.

Aaron’s Story

Aaron moved to Deepwater after he finished with AQIS in a Quarantine Officers role. He bought the 60 acre property 10 years ago and moved out here to “get away” from everyone. “I like the isolation mostly, sometimes it is hard, but it is okay”. The property is longer than it is wide and the Pearson Creek runs through the back of the property.

aaron-nimmo-serviceAaron was born in Brisbane and grew up there studying his love of science particularly biology. Aaron joined the Army when he was 19 and loved what he did. He started in the 5/11 Field Regiment ARES and was in this Regiment for 3 years before it was disbanded at the beginning of the RediReserves. He moved to 1 Field Regiment as a Driver – Transport NCO. During this time with this regiment, he was promoted to Lance Bombardier.Although he re ally enjoyed Army life, Aaron was not sure if all this training with the Army was for him and eventually discharged.

Life after service

He took up a position with the DPI for contracted Fruit Fly work and then as a Quarantine Officer with AQIS. He has worked at the Airport, wharves and in the postal area. After a panic attack one night he ended his time with AQIS and started his journey to the property where he lives now. His Mum and Dad live in Gatton and he has not been able to see them for most of this year given covid and being a distance away from them. He misses them and his friends dearly and although he understands, he still finds this difficult and feels isolated in the area.

November 2018 bushfire

Upon first moving to the property, he had a makeshift tent area and then moved into a caravan with a solid metal annex and a shed. Aaron was very happy here and was planning to build his dream home.

Unfortunately this was not to be the case as the bushfire of November 2018 ripped through his property and destroyed his home. He says “it was a frightening nightmare. I am pretty much lucky to be here”. Not on social media, Aaron did not know about the warnings issued through the day. He woke up to smoke and thinking is was just burn off went back to sleep. A neighbor called to warn of the seriousness so he grabbed some items and headed to the front of the property.

The fire was literally on the other side of the road and the smoke like a brick wall. It was difficult to breathe. He couldn’t see anything and there were hot embers flying around and landing on him. On the drive up the road, he had to look out the drivers window to see the white lines so that he could at least have some idea where to go.

He rounded the corner, saw the smoke cleared and felt greatly relieved. The firies waved him past quickly as the fire was creeping up fast. Aaron says although this was devastating for him, he is grateful for the firies and water bombing planes that saved the rest of his property. He returned to the property a week and half later and and when he did return it was a completely deflating experience. Although attempting to remain in good spirits, he lost a lot of important possessions and is still dealing with this.

Operation McLeod checkin

The biggest impact for Aaron after the fires was the DRA team who came to check in. It was a big deal for him as he said the people who came out were people he could relate to. He is grateful that our Op McLeod team came to visit him as he was feeling depressed and defeated at the time.

Operation Dexter returns

Aaron has struggled significantly with depression, panic attacks and PTSD. He was clearly emotional about us being at the property and sharing time with him, not just doing the work but just spending time talking, listening and being with him. He says loneliness is the hardest thing and the isolation can become overwhelming.

The Operation Dexter strike team was able to complete some tasks around the property that have lifted his spirits. Aaron now feels happy and grateful.

 

Brendan Clarke and his wife Deb are one of the few District Coast locals who lost everything, including their home in the Deepwater Bushfires that swept through the region in late 2018, early 2019.

They had initially stayed to protect their property and thinking it was safe had left to seek updates from the local fire station. Unfortunately it was during this time that a small spot fire started. This was all it took to burn down their home, water tanks, sheds and fencing. Thankfully their cattle survived the fires as the grass had been grazed low.

When it first happened, in the days that followed and the shock subsided there were a lot of initial offers of help from the local council, to the salvation and then a few months later, Lifeline. Brendan has nothing but praise for the staff at Lifeline who have been a big help to him and his wife, and now he has the same level of praise for DRA as our members as part of Operation Dexter, Wave 3.

Our DRTs have helped him move a new water tank into place and shift some wood to make room for finishing off renovations on the old house he had trucked in to be restored, placed in the location where their old house once stood.

Brendan Clarke and wife Deb lost everything in the Deepwater Bushfires of 18/19. DRA came to help out  during Operation Dexter. We were grateful to record his story.

It’s been slow going for Brendan and Deb. They unfortunately were not insured so it has been a long time waiting for some bushfire relief funding courtesy of the Salvation Army, used to buy their replacement home which arrived late August this year. Still with no electricity or running water it is still a rough journey ahead for the Clarkes. But in true Australian country style, they are both happy to still have something to call home. Even if they still have a way to go before it’s back to a place where they once were, pre bushfires.

sean gorman member reflection

I am a civilian currently on deployment with DRA on Operation Dexter – Wave One. Yesterday, the DRA Strike Team and I attended a property in the Rosedale community that was affected by both floods and bushfires. The owner also has several health complications that make it hard for him to complete the work alone.

Our team assisted by relocating his living quarters up a steep hill on his property so that it may be in a more sheltered position, on higher ground. At first the owner was a little guarded but the team sparked some conversations with him throughout the day and included him as part of the Strike Team.

Once the shed and carport were constructed the household items and furniture were moved to higher ground and the owner was visibly relieved. This particular resident was living in humble surroundings, but even though he did not have much, what he had was precious to him and he did not want his available resources wasted. He wanted to make sure we put the carport together exactly square and was supervising our team. Towards the end of the day we had 5 team members instead of 4. It was a great day and a great team (it would be hard to find a bad team in this crew).

It gives me a feeling of accomplishment – the good feeling of helping someone in need.

My name is Bec and I’m from the Brisbane DRT (Disaster Relief Team) . I am a vetaran who served in the Australian Army for 15 years.

I was discharged in Dec 2018, nearly two years now. I grew up in country Victoria on a large grain farm where I am one of six children. After leaving the Australian Army, I had friends who were a part of  DRA who inspired me to join.

When the bushfires had heavily affected parts of our country earlier this year I felt compelled to be a part of the team. Growing up on our farm we had a bushfire go through our property which had a devastating effect. OP Hannaford in ADL was my first deployment. Here I am now on my second deployment, my first with DRA.

The people you work with, the people you help on the ground and the community you help slowly rebuild is the most fulfilling feeling. It keeps me coming back. For myself, it puts life back in perspective for you.

natalie heller member reflectionI am an Environmental Engineer, a mom to 2 very rambunctious boys and a wife.

I am Canadian / American, and I moved to Australia 2 months ago.

After coming out of quarantine, I needed to find something for me to do.

I saw some information in regard to SES however they only take intakes once a year and that is not until March. I needed to find something now.

I wanted to do something more productive than 16 loads of laundry, productive.

I did some googling and came across Disaster Relief Australia and felt that this would be a great fit for me.

From Op Dexter I think I will leave a little more relaxed. I really like to throw myself into hard manual labour. It feels really good for the soul.

I come from a Defence background as my Dad did 20 years in the Canadian Air Force. After he finished in the Air Force he threw himself into hard manual labour.

I feel that this is one of the reasons I find this type of labour cathartic.

I will definitely do another deployment and I am looking forward to being part of the Canberra DRT.

I have loved the feeling of mateship that DRA has shown – it has been an awesome experience.

The Team has given me some awesome cultural experience and I have learned a lot in regards to my Australian cultural immersion.

I have learned a lot of the Australian vernacular and this has been amazing and so much fun.

I feel incredibly included with this group – they have welcomed me and made me feel like I am a part of this great team.

ben fisher reflectionMy nickname is Wig, I got this when I was 17 and it has stuck ever since. I am an ambo with the NSW Ambulance, I live on the Coast with my wife and children.

I feel blessed in my life and this is one of the reasons I feel that giving back is something I wanted to do. I first read about DRA (TRA) in the Sydney Morning Herald and wanted to know more. I googled the group and felt that this Organisation would be a great fit for me being that I am interested in doing aid work.

I have done some aide work overseas particularly in PNG and I have really enjoyed this. I am a self-confessed serial underachiever and I am the first to say this. I really enjoy giving back to the community and seeing how what we do impacts the families we help.

From Op Dexter I will take away some enhanced fencing skills and some great relationships with some great people. I love that this organisation is built for a purpose for people to benefit both giving and getting back. It is a healing process for us much as it is for the community.

I wouldn’t have recognised this as concrete as that in the beginning but retrospectively I see that it is a healing role for all. I am looking forward to deploying again both domestically and hopefully when we can internationally.