Launch of Northern Territory Disaster Relief Team (NT DRT)

Disaster Relief Australia | April 2022

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.