our

NEWS

Funding secured for our continued growth

Funding secured for our continued growth

Disaster Relief Australia will launch flood recovery Operation Riordan on 13th August 2022 to help Northern Rivers residents recover from continual catastrophic flooding. The operation will focus on home and property repairs aiming to get the community safe, secure, and warm. 

read more
Wellbeing Project Officially Launches

Wellbeing Project Officially Launches

This week marks a special week for veterans with Victory in the Pacific Day on the 15th of August and Vietnam Veterans Day on Thursday the 18th of August. We take time to acknowledge the bravery and...

read more
Operation Kelliher Flood Recovery Summary

Operation Kelliher Flood Recovery Summary

Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) recently conducted its largest disaster response activity since the organisation’s inception in 2016. In response to the catastrophic flooding that impacted communities in Queensland and New South Wales, our skilled veteran-led volunteers got down and dirty helping with flood recovery as part of Operation Kelliher.

read more
Domino’s Registered Charity Give for Good Announces 1 Year Partnership with Disaster Relief Australia

Domino’s Registered Charity Give for Good Announces 1 Year Partnership with Disaster Relief Australia

Domino’s Disaster Relief initiatives are supported by Give for Good, which funds future preparedness programmes, economic recovery, resilience aid, and the management of a wide range of societal repercussions following a natural disaster. With this in mind, Give for Good will provide $100,000 to help fund Disaster Relief Australia’s localised Service Projects.

read more
DRA Member Awards 2021

DRA Member Awards 2021

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...

read more
Newsletter September 2021

Newsletter September 2021

I’m constantly amazed by the fortitude and resilience of our members. An enduring seemingly never-ending situation reduced our ability to get out on the field in mass numbers but we've adapted and...

read more
Newsletter June 2021

Newsletter June 2021

It often feels like we are moving slowly in DRA because it is in our nature to focus on trees and not the forest. In October this year we will be five. 4.5 years ago we mobilised 43 people to...

read more
Operation Woods Post Op Summary

Operation Woods Post Op Summary

Operation Woods was Disaster Relief Australia’s (DRA) first major operation in Western Australia, incorporating the launch of our Perth Disaster Relief Team. DRA collaboration with the Minderoo Foundation’s Fire and Flood Resilience initiative, partnering to rapidly deploy volunteers into the region to help with recovery efforts for the Perth Hills Bushfire.

read more

News

  • We are excited to announce that Disaster Relief Australia has been recognised for an Outstanding Achievement in The Australian Charity Awards 2022. This is the third consecutive year that DRA has received an award in this category which recognises charitable organisations that have achieved outstanding results through initiatives that have significantly benefited charitable causes. The 2022 Outstanding Achievement was awarded to DRA for our plans to build our veteran-led volunteer base to create a fit-for-purpose model of continued service to the nation, while at the same time, establishing veterans as a much-needed national asset in disaster resilience and recovery. Our plans to build our volunteer workforce over the next three years will address a whole-of-nation resilience-based approach to disaster management, which recognises that a national, coordinated, and cooperative effort is needed to enhance Australia’s capacity to withstand and recover from emergencies and disasters. In partnership with the Australian Government’s announced funding, we will be significantly building our organisation, infrastructure and capability to always provide optimal support and relief for vulnerable communities affected by natural and #humanitarian disasters. We will further develop systems to connect with other emergency response and relief agencies and increase interoperability as well as to recruit more volunteers into DRA.   Volunteering with DRA is a great way for anyone wishing to expand their skills set and either deploy into communities impacted by disaster to aid in their recovery or other #opportunities volunteering behind the scenes to support our recovery operations and daily non-profit activities. To learn more about our award submission visit: Australian Charity Awards – 2022 Winners

  • With lessons learned from 2017, Debra thought the upstairs of her store was well protected against rising waters. She was wrong. The 2022 Northern Rivers flood hit hard. Her premises, stock and irreplaceable collectables were significantly damaged.  Under pressure and devastated, Debra attempted to repair the damage, run her business and manage the loss of her home in South Lismore.    With overwhelming tasks piled high, DRA stepped in. They relocated damp and mouldy records, cleaned stock and cleared areas for use again. Debra said of the team: “I just couldn’t stop saying oh my god, oh my god because it had such a huge impact.  To really see the progress is psychologically uplifting and amazing. For example, there was a team member who fixed my roller door. It had been damaged after the flood and was covered in mud. Just to see the blue paint on the door rather than the mud was phenomenally uplifting. I don’t know why I keep using the word uplifting, but it was just amazing.”