It was the Army that first gave me, indeed taught me, the unique ability to care for people I’d never met. It instilled in me what I call the ANZAC Spirit. I took these traits into my service with the NSW Police Force and now the Federal Police. I have now completed almost 29 years of government service and I still feel like I have so much more to give.
I first joined Disaster Relief Australia nearly two years ago but it wasn’t until the devastating 2019 fires on the NSW Mid North Coast that I deployed for the first time. I have an emergencies services background and with so many people in need, I felt drawn to help.
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The week before I started with Disaster Relief Australia, I was lucky enough to complete one day on a Service Project in the Adelaide Hills and thought I gained an understanding of what an Operation is like from that day.
The next day I did the Core Ops training online and again, I thought I had an understanding of what an Operation is like. That has been followed by two months in the National Team, learning the business talking to people who have deployed, and again, I thought I had an appreciation for what an Operation is like.
I have now been in the Op-Turner Area of Operation for six days and spent several of those days working the hardest I can recall. I realise now, I simply never had a true understanding for what an operation requires of an individual and what is involved to ensure success on the ground. I feel more connected to the entire organisation, I have been incredibly touched by the members of the Kangaroo Island community and my team mates on the ground.
When you have stood and listened to the Ode and listened to the stories of heartache and of bravery and of unmatched resilience of those affected by the bushfires, you become filled with a sense of pride for the work you do and Disaster Relief Australia’s Members and Mission.
– Michael Hoffmann