OPERATION TURNER
In Response to: Devastating bushfires
Location: Kangaroo Island
Nov 8, 2020 – Nov 16, 2020
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Donating to this operation will support Disaster Relief Australia volunteers in real and practical ways.
Objective
On 20 December 2019, bushfires began on Kangaroo Island (KI) in South Australia. The fires continued in the region for several weeks resulting in the loss of two lives as well as many homes, farms, businesses and countless livestock and over 210,000 hectares of land. As soon as it was safe to do so, Disaster Relief Australia deployed volunteers to the area, helping over 33 families. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions, in late March 2020 the Operation, known as Operation Tiger, was halted.
Working with the KI Mayor, Recovery SA and the Minderoo Firefund, Disaster Relief Australia volunteers are being redeployed during November and December 2020 to finish what was started. We will be assisting over 20 families in debris removal, land clearing and assisting them in their recovery efforts which are still underway before this summer’s extreme weather hitse community members still remain without power and continue to reside in makeshift dwellings.
OPERATION UPDATE:
Due to Covid-19 complications, DRA was forced to conclude the operation and return volunteers to their home states. Disaster Relief Australia is dedicated to come back into the community to provide recovery works including debris removal, chainsaw work & repairs to fence lines.
News and Field Ops Reports
Community & Volunteer Reflections
Filled with a sense of pride – civilian Michael Hoffman
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...
Unique ability to care for people – ex veteran and former police officer Nick Backe-Hansen
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...
Drawn to help – first responder Hez
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....