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NEWS
DRA wins Australian Charity Award for 3rd consecutive year
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...
Thank You… end of year message from our CEO
To say 2022 was exceptional is an understatement. Australia has faced challenges and disruptions on a significant and unseen scale. For the team at Disaster Relief Australia (DRA), it has been...
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.
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...
Flood Recovery Operation Riordan Launching 13th August
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.
Collie, WA – Big Map Floodwise Exercise
Big Map Flood Wise Exercise is being held in Collie, WA. Find out how Project Resilience can benefit your community.
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.
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.
9th Disaster Relief Team Launched in Tasmania
Disaster Relief Australia launched has launched its 9th Disaster Relief Team (DRT) in Tasmania.
Project Resilience ‘Big Map’ Exercise in Willawarrin NSW
On Friday 22 April, Disaster Relief Australia led and managed the first Project Resilience “Big Map” exercise for the community of Willawarrin, NSW.
Three Years Funding Support of DRA’s National Veteran Volunteer Service (NVVS)
On 19th April, the Leader of the Australian Labor Party, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, announced that if elected his government would provide Disaster Relief Australia with funding over three years...
Clubs Supporting DRA’s Flood Recovery Efforts
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.
Mid Op Update | Operation Kelliher
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...
Launch of Northern Territory Disaster Relief Team (NT DRT)
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...
Keno Extends Partnership with DRA for Two Years
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...
Mobilising veteran and Defence community to support major flood recovery efforts across Queensland and NSW
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...
Disaster Relief Australia welcomes Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants announcement
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...
Disaster Resilience and Recovery in Mallacoota (Two Years Post Black Summer)
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...
Guest Speaker David Smith Wednesday 24th November
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...
Resilience Corps Brings Together a Coalition of Groups Including Disaster Relief Australia
Pictured at North Head in Sydney is Emily Copley-Moorby, Monique Lehane, Mark Reilly and Adil Jain. Picture: Richard DobsonYoung people and volunteers from across Australia are being called upon to...
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...
Disaster Relief Australia wins Outstanding Achievement in 2021 Australian Charity Awards
Disaster Relief Australia is proud to announce they have been recognised for Outstanding Achievement in The Australian Charity Awards 2021. The Australian Charity Award for Outstanding Achievement [OAA] recognises charitable organisations that have achieved outstanding results through initiatives that have significantly benefited charitable causes.
Veterans Benevolent Fund Keeps Veterans Safe as Disaster Season Looms
In August 2018, Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) came seriously close to suffering a fatality from a heart attack. Brett Burriss, then just 42, returned to the groups base at Dubbo RSL after a long...
Afghan Refugees Rolling up Sleeves for Disaster Relief
In December 2019, devastating bushfires ripped through the Adelaide Hills, destroying 86 houses and damaging around 160 more as well as burning through hundreds of hectares of farmland and...
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...
Disaster Relief Teams put down chainsaws and pick up food boxes for ACT communities in lockdown
With ACT in lockdown until at least October 15th, the need to distribute food and hygiene boxes to ACT residents in isolation is critical. In response, an innovative solution has developed...
2021 Speaker Series – Brendan Barry
Brendan Barry - Wed 29th Sept AEST 7pm Brendan works with Open Arms, MESHA, Trojans Trek and the Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management in Tasmania delivering Mental Health First Aid...
Fundraise for DRA While You Shop With Ritchies IGA
A new Ritchies Card loyalty program allows you to fundraise for DRA whilst you shop at participating Ritchie's IGAs found in NSW, VIC and QLD. Since the Ritchies program began in 1993, over 150,000...
2021 Speaker Series – CAPT Toovey
CAPT Hoovey joined us on 26th August, 2021 as a DRA guest speaker. He is self-proclaimed “One Nut, Half a Gut,”. He founded 25 STAY ALIVE to encourage young people to be proactive with their health....
2021 Speaker Series – Daryll Ainsworth
Daryll Ainsworth joined us on 29th July 2021 for the first Disaster Relief Australia guest speaker series for this year. DRA member Daryll Ainsworth, comes from a military background with the...
Lieutenant Colonel William Donovan Joynt | The Story Behind the Name
Operation Joynt is named for Melbourne born William Donovan Joynt. For his ‘most conspicuous bravery’ he won the Victoria Cross.
Melbourne Volunteers Out of Lockdown to Aid Devastated Dandenong
Following a wave of destruction left by a storm front across the state of Victoria, both regional and metropolitan areas have suffered extensive damage. The Dandenong Ranges have been the subject of...
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...
Operation Corkhill Phase 2 On Hold
Due to the recent COVID-19 complications in NSW, we are unfortunately required to put Operation Corkhill Phase 2 on hold until further notice. This is the second pause we have been forced to endure...
Melbourne DRA Volunteers Band Together to Aid Horse Therapy Charity
Gippsland residents have been hit hard over recent years. Below average rainfalls, the Black Summer Bushfires of 2019-20 summer, the COVID-19 pandemic and most recently catastrophic flooding. The...
DRA returns to Bega Valley Shire for Critical Bushfire Recovery
Disaster Relief Australia deployed a six week bushfire recovery operation to the Bega Valley Shire on 29th May, 2021. The veteran led volunteer organisation will bring vital bushfire recovery to...
Operation Elliot Post Op Summary
Disaster Relief Australia (DRA), conducted a flood recovery operation in the area of the Port Macquarie – Hastings and Mid Coast Council areas named Operation Elliot, commencing on 10 April 2021.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Mayor Pinson Volunteers for Flood Recovery
Peta Pinson is the first woman elected to the role of Mayor in the region of Port Macquarie-Hastings, NSW. For her first term in office, she has witnessed two fires, an ongoing pandemic and is now...
Operation Elliot May Update
With just over a week and a half to go on Operation Elliot on the NSW Mid North Coast our teams on the ground have been busy over the past four weeks assisting members of the community impacted by...
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.
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.”
