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.
Learn moreDRA 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.
Learn moreVolunteers 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.
Learn moreNews 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.
Learn moreDeploying 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.
Find out moreThere 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.
Find out moreDisaster Relief Australia | October 2021
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 day assisting farmers with drought relief in Western NSW.
A little later in the evening Brett asked a DRA medic if he could have Mylanta for what he thought was indigestion. Fortunately, the experienced medic had other ideas. Typically stoic, and not wanting to make a fuss, Brett had to be convinced to go to the Dubbo Base Hospital where an EKG showed he was in fact having a heart attack. An ambulance rushed Brett to the cardiac unit in Orange where doctors decided it was too risky to operate. He was flown by helicopter ambulance to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney where he underwent open-heart surgery and received a double coronary arterial bypass.
DRA repurposes the skills and experience of military veterans in disaster relief, providing veterans opportunity to find purpose again and grow beyond their military service.
DRA CEO Geoff Evans, stresses, “the truth is Brett would have died in the field the next day, despite our guys being trained in first-aid. Only a defibrillator would have given him a fighting chance”. As DRA moves into increasingly regional and remote areas, the provision of this live-saving device has become essential.
The Veterans Benevolent Fund has generously funded 20 Automatic External Defibrillators (AED’s), for Disaster Relief Australia. The sophisticated, yet easy to use medical devices are a lifesaver that will support veterans as they provide disaster recovery assistance to communities.
The RSL & Services Clubs Association have enjoyed a long-standing bond with DRA. Member clubs have donated regularly to the organisation and its teams across NSW to deliver help and hope to people impacted by natural disasters.
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We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land where we work and live. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We celebrate the stories, culture and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders of all communities who also work and live on this land.
