Disaster recovery is rewarding work. Be it flood, bushfire, cyclone or pandemic, Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) is here to help. With our army of dedicated volunteers, we respond to disasters and deliver support to those in need.
DRA brings hope to communities devastated by disaster. We unite the skills and experience of military veterans, emergency responders and motivated civilians to deploy Disaster Relief Teams around Australia and the world. We help people during some of their worst days.
Volunteers are the cornerstone of Disaster Relief Australia’s operations. With more than 3,000 members nationwide, our veteran-led tribe serves communities before, during and after natural disasters strike to strengthen resilience and deliver much needed relief and recovery services.
News and stories are the heartbeat of our mission. Discover the inspiring narratives of our dedicated volunteers and resilient communities we stand by. These stories vividly depict the impact of our work, showcase the power of compassion and unity and remind us that we can make a difference together.
Deploying with DRA and supporting disaster affected communities is rewarding beyond measure. Through volunteering, corporate partnerships, financial donations or working with us, there are many ways to make a positive contribution and become a force for good.
There are many ways to make a positive contribution and bring hope to others. As a not-for-profit community cause, Disaster Relief Australia exists through the combined generosity of volunteers, donors, corporate partners and fundraisers.
Disaster Relief Australia wanted to assist in the Northern Rivers region, being one of the hardest hit areas during the recent flood emergency. Proudly supported by the New South Wales club industry, DRA were able to base relief operations out of the Coraki Golf Club.
DRA couldn’t have done it without the support and donations from the team at Clubs NSW (@yourlocalclub). Their services and generosity throughout Operation Kelliher have ensured that the DRA team has the equipment and resources to help communities that have been impacted by the floods.
Greg Scurr, Coraki Golf Club President said “people are only too appreciative of what DRA has done. It’s given people a little light at the end of the tunnel and brought things forward for them in regards to be able to get back into their properties and live a normal life again”.
DRA volunteer and mission commander Amy Brierley, was motivated by a Coraki resident’s simple message. She said “The thing that kept me and my team going through this has been the fact that we saw a large white sheet with ‘thank you volunteers’ written on it hanging from somebody’s balcony. I thought “this is good work that we are doing, we are able to contribute”.
Clubs NSW CEO Josh Landis says DRA is a great partner. He asserted that while the money raised for DRA “doesn’t touch the sides on the impact of what’s happening”, it’s a contribution from the clubs they should be proud of.
Thank you! ClubsNSW. Your team is definitely Built To Serve!
(Video courtesy of ClubsTV)
Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) is underway with a large disaster relief operation in response to the catastrophic flooding of Queensland and New South Wales. DRA members and volunteers initially worked alongside locals from the Moreton Bay region in QLD and have since set up a forward operating base in Coraki, NSW just a short drive from Lismore.
In just a few weeks, over 590 volunteers have deployed, completing 411 jobs over 16,520 hours. That represents $773K community costs saved! 378 of the volunteers were Australians answering the call to serve their community. Led in the field by DRA volunteers, our newest volunteers got dirty and dug deep to bring hands-on help where it was needed most.
The newly formed Territory DRT launches with a cohort of 30 volunteers ready to serve their local communities and support national operations, such as those currently underway in the flood-affected regions of NSW and Queensland.
DRA currently maintains seven DRT’s across QLD, NSW, ACT, VIC, SA and WA. Tasmania is also expected to launch later this month, providing DRA with increased capabilities to deliver national impact. The NT DRT will include several strike teams; trained, equipped and ready to respond to next year’s cyclone season in the Territory.
Calling on NT based veterans
With a high number of veterans based in the NT, DRA CEO Geoff Evans believes there is an opportunity for the NT DRT to utilise their training and skills for continued service and leadership. Evans, is calling on the NT based Defence community and veterans, in addition to first responders and the broader community – to join DRA’s volunteer workforce:
“Following the intensifying occurrence of natural disasters right across the country, we need to grow our volunteer workforce to increase boots on ground.”
“DRA volunteers are deployed to regions all over Australia to work alongside locals to undertake hands-on help within disaster ravaged communities. When we work together in operations, we can improve a homeowner’s ability to bounce back and restore the overall cohesion of the local community. Natural disasters don’t end when the first responders leave; for families who have spent months – and sometimes years – living in make-shift homes their work continues.”
Veteran Luke Gosling OAM, MP has placed his firm support behind DRA, stating “Whether it’s at home in the NT, interstate or in the INDOPACIFIC region, we’ll now have more capacity to assist during and after disaster strikes. Veterans and other members of the public with a sense of service can make a real difference
Special guests included Senator Luke Gosling MP (MP for Solomon), Lia Finocchiaro MLA (Leader of the Opposition), Mick Slater (DRA Board Member), Bob Shewring (Veterans Australia NT) and thirty plus volunteers ready to answer the call to Australian communities. A special thanks to Beaver Brewery for their support of the inaugural event.
Keno has renewed its partnership with DRA for the next two years to aid communities in the aftermath of disasters
Disaster Relief Australia CEO Geoff Evans said the essential partnership between the two organisations supported communities following severe and life changing natural events.
“The Keno and DRA partnership is about reaching into communities to bring help to those who have been devastated by natural disasters,” he said. “It’s about restoring hope where there is none and being there for members of our community who need assistance the most. Our partnership allows DRA to continue to mobilise the veteran and defence community to help the survivors of disasters.
Currently, DRA has a large volunteer Disaster Relief Team based in Coraki, New South Wales, just outside of Lismore. During the coming months, we will be assisting multiple communities in Queensland and New South Wales in their flood recovery efforts.”
Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) is deploying a veteran-led volunteer workforce to Queensland and New South Wales in response to the recent major flood event. The announcement provides a timely reminder of the urgent need to bolster Australia’s disaster recovery sector.
Disaster Relief Australia CEO Geoff Evans has called on veterans and the Defence community to continue to serve the nation.
“Veterans have many of the skills that define an excellent responder. DRA requires veterans to draw on the skills, experience, and initiative they acquired in the military and use them to help communities devastated by disasters.”
“We are looking at one of DRA’s largest operational commitments to date in Queensland and New South Wales. We are asking veterans and emergency services specialists to join our team. Although 80% of our organisation are veterans, you do not have to be a veteran to join. If you value service, we can train you.”
The not-for-profit organisation, which has supported communities with disaster relief and emergency management operations since 2016, has put their volunteer workforce on stand-by to help get people back into their homes as soon as flood waters reside.
Working alongside locals, DRA’s skilled veteran volunteers will provide hands-on help including mould treatment, debris removal, rubbish removal, clearing key access points and general clean-up. “Our scope of works is limited only by the ingenuity of the teams on the ground” Evans says, “they are pretty phenomenal at this type of work.”
Evans continued, “The natural disasters don’t end when the first responders leave, or an emergency declaration expires; for families who have spent months – and sometimes years – living in make-shift homes our work continues.”
“When we work together in operations like these, we can improve a homeowner’s ability to bounce back and restore the overall cohesion of the local community. We do this by mobilising one of Australia’s most valuable resources: Australian veterans. Events like the floods in Queensland and New South Wales demonstrate that they are needed more than ever.” DRA asks those wishing to help to register as a volunteer at: https://disasterreliefaus.org/
Disaster Relief Australia has welcomed an announcement they will receive $478,669 under the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants program. The funding will enable DRA to continue vital work supporting communities in the Bega Valley after the destruction of the 19/20 Black Summer Bushfires fires which burned 24 million hectares of land, destroyed 3000 homes and wiped out three billion animals.
Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants program recipients
The Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program is a government initiative that aims to assist medium and long-term recovery for communities. The Program was designed to assist those affected by the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires in the local government areas of Queensland, New South Wales, ACT, South Australia, Tasmania, and Victoria. The Australian Government contributed an additional $111 million towards the Program in order to ensure that all recommended projects might be funded. You can find out more about how these grants will support communities with their long-term recovery at recovery.gov.au/black-summer-bushfire-recovery-grants-program.
Disaster Relief Returns to Bega Valley
Disaster Relief Australia has been forced to cease operations in Bega Valley twice due to Covid-19 causing severe interruptions and reduced volunteer time, firstly in March 2020 and then again in June 2021. DRA is stoic in its resolve to provide long-overdue support to the Bega Valley communities and is grateful for the means to do so.
Working in conjunction with New South Wales University students
DRA will seek to strengthen partnerships with the Australian National University and the University of New South Wales to complement these recovery efforts.
Students will be afforded the opportunity to directly participate in practical assistance to bushfire-affected communities, and to apply their developing knowledge and skillsets in disaster recovery and resilience.
CEO Geoff Evans is resolute in his determination to bring much-needed bushfire recovery back to Bega. “Last year alone, Disaster Relief Australia contributed an estimated $1.4M in expert man-hours across 9 service projects and operations. We are looking forward to the opportunity to utilise again, the specific skill sets of our volunteers who have military and first-responder experience to assist.”
Bushfire Recovery for Mallacoota 2 Years After Bearing the Brunt of Black Summer
It is difficult to forget the out-of-control bushfire engulfing the Gippsland township of Mallacoota on New Years Eve 2019. Apocalyptic images of thousands taking refuge on a beach under red angry skies became synonymous with the plight of Australian communities overwhelmed by the Black Summer bushfires. Nearly two years later, Mallacoota is still in need of post bushfire assistance. Scant recovery has taken place since the fires in part due to COVID preventive measures limiting disaster recovery activities.
With restrictions now easing, Disaster Relief Australia is launching an operation called ‘Operation Thorpe‘ on 27th of November. Real hands-on help will include dangerous tree felling, fence clearing/repairs and debris removal.
Disaster Relief Australia CEO Geoff Evans says “Disasters are more frequent and more intense and for those affected, deeply personal. We’re determined to bring help where it’s needed most in spite of the challenges of deploying our volunteer workforce nationally during COVID-19 restrictions.”
Getting Ready with Resiliency – Working with the Mallacoota Community
In tandem with Operation Thorpe, Disaster Relief Australia will also conduct their first resilience activity under the banner of Project Resilience. The goal is to serve at least 34 communities over four years; contributing to the Minderoo Foundation’s Resilient Communities Initiative which aims to lift Australia’s 50 most vulnerable communities to be on par with Australia’s 50 most resilient communities by 2025. DRA’s Victorian Disaster Relief Team is working directly with the Mallacoota community to raise their resilience and mitigate future disasters.
DRA team leaders and volunteers will attend the ‘Be Ready’ Coota Day held in Mallacoota on Sunday the 28th of November. Over the following weekend (4th and 5th December), a resilience engagement activity will involve community volunteers participating in a disaster mitigating activity.
On Wednesday 24th November 2021, we held a guest speaker series with newly appointed DRA board member Dave Smith. Over an impressive 34 year military career he commanded at every level from platoon (around 30 soldiers) to brigade (around 3000) and has seen operational service in East Timor three times, Solomon Islands and Afghanistan. Currently, he is responsible for leading the team that acquires and sustains all personal equipment and supplies for Australian Defence Force personnel.
Dave was appointed a Member in the Military Division of the Order of Australia in the 2012 Queen’s Birthday Honours List in recognition of his achievement in key command and staff roles and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal in the 2013 Australia Day Honours List for his service in Afghanistan.
Don’t miss the opportunity to listen in on Dave’s unique insights gained from decades of service!
Young people and volunteers from across Australia are being called upon to join a new disaster army to defend the country against fire and flood in a national service-style campaign to be launched today.
The new “Australian Resilience Corps” is an unprecedented joining of community groups and organisations from across the country into a single national force to combat and prep against natural disasters.
It will train volunteers in everything from landscape and property management to mental health and resilience planning and aims to be the nation’s largest on-call volunteer and training resource for the preparation for and protection against fire and flood.
The Resilience Corps brings together a coalition of groups including Disaster Relief Australia.
South Australian farmer Anastasia Bougesis works with Disaster Relief Australia and has seen the aftermath of disasters, inspiring her to want to fight them before they begin.
“We support individuals and communities who have been affected by disasters and help them on their recovery journey,” she said. “Some days we can be out using chainsaws, fencing, sifting ashes or removing structures. We really do whatever it takes to get people back on their feet.”
Disaster Relief Australia CEO Geoff Evans said volunteerism is an Australian way of life and deeply rewarding to those who take up the challenge with limited opportunity previously for volunteers to offer their time ahead of disasters.
“It is already too late once there is smoke on the horizon. The Australian Resilience Corps provides a crucial opportunity for communities to come together and volunteer to mitigate and prepare for disasters. Resilient communities cope better with the impact of disasters and bounce back faster. With almost half of the Australian population living in communities that have a low-to-moderate level of disaster resilience there is much work to be done. DRA is proud to be part of this leading effort.”
On 28th October 2021, Disaster Relief Australia members Australia wide joined a live linkup to celebrate the milestone of 5 years in serving disaster-affected communities.
Guest Speaker Shane Durdin joined DRA in the beginning and deployed on first operation to Proserpine in 2017. Shane reflected on his first experiences. He felt immediately a “passion and willingness to get it done” and has continued to note the resiliency, hard work and support of the growing band of volunteers determined to make a difference.
2021 Awards
In recognition of excellence, mateship, leadership and a dedication to service, awards were given to the following recipients:
CEO Award
Dean West QLD South
Mateship Award
Jane Hiatt ACT
Ted Tiessem QLD North
True Grit Award
Jodie Turpin SA
Leadership Award
Peter Jones VIC
DRT NSW Champion Award
Marina Rowe
DRT Champion VIC Award
Chris May
DRT WA Champion Award
Ben Abbott WA
DRT ACT Champion Award
Stephen Hull
DRT QLD North Champion Award
Kevin Ryan
DRT QLD Sth Champion Award
Robert Delaney
DRT SA Champion Award
Dean Pye
National Emergency Medals
131 DRA members were awarded a National Emergency Medal (or a clasp to add to a previously received NEM). A national emergency medal provides recognition for the committed and courageous efforts of frontline responders, volunteers and community supporteres during nationally-significant emergencies in Australia
The below emergencies were formally responded to as an organisation and have been declared nationally significant for the purposes of the National Emergency Medal:
Bushfires in NSW, VIC, QLD, SA or ACT between September 2019 and February 2020.
DRA is immensely proud of their members who selflessly served Australian communities in their worst hour. You see the full resources and FAQ’s about National Emergency Medals on the Governor Generals’ website.
Milestone Awards
In honour of DRA’s 5th year anniversary, members were recognised for their many years of service.
Smiley Billings ACT
Martin De Domenico ACT
Andrew Young NSW
Samantha Cantwell NSW
Clare Sutton NSW
Geoff Evans NSW
Luke Gordon NSW
Samuel Corby NSW
Raymond Bennie NSW
Stephen Luke QLD North
Louise Lommerse QLD South
Nicholas Goss QLD South
Dean West QLD South
Oren Burg QLD South
Markus Bucy SA
Nicolas Davy TAS
Peter Sanderson VIC
Angela MacQuibban VIC
Paul Copeland VIC
Clark McConachy VIC
Brad Mason WA
James Erwin WA
David Fascinato
Lukas Woolley
Adam Cantrick
Camille Reed
Sean O’Laughlin
Ken Harbaugh
William McNulty
Megan Read NSW
Arthur Drozd NSW
Kachi Ngai NSW
Samantha Cantwell NSW
Adil Jain NSW
Andrew Quinn NSW
Adam Hobson NSW
Deborah Fenton NSW
Geoff Evans NSW
Mark Dobson NSW
Clare Sutton NSW
Leasa Stephen QLD South
Louise Lommerse QLD South
Cade Cooper QLD South
Shane Durdin QLD South
Chantelle Bradford SA
Anastasia Bougesis SA
Markus Bucy SA
Peter James Major TAS
Paul Copeland VIC
Peter Sanderson VIC
Nicholas Clarke-Daniel WA
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