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Operation Traill
Heavy rainfall at the end of November 2021 led to significant flooding across central and Northern NSW – including, but not limited to the Hunter River and surrounding waterways in the Upper Hunter Shire and surrounds (including Warrumbungles Shire). Evacuation orders were put in place with towns reported in media as affected including Cassilis, Coolah, Tambar Springs, Purlewaugh and surrounding areas.
Damage recorded included loss of fencing, roads, bridges and causeways washed away, some localised property damage (such as three houses inundated in Cassilis) and loss of crops and stock.
Operation Traill was announced for the Upper Hunter Shire and surrounds in response to flooding at the end of November 2021. Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) conducted a sustained operation in the area of Cassilis and Coolah, NSW, commencing late February. The response was conducted over two consecutive waves:
- Wave 1: 26 Feb 22 – 06 Mar 22
- Wave 2: 05 Feb 22 – 13 Mar 22

QLD Flood Recovery Operation
Area of Operations
Cassilis village, Coolah and surrounding areas
Recovery Taskings
As part of Operation Traill, DRA provided the following capabilities:
- Debris removal
- Chainsaw operations
- Fence line removal and repairs
- Sifting operations
- General clean up

The story behind the name
Operation Traill is named on behalf of a military family who lived in Coolah.
The name Traill has great meaning in the town of Coolah, with the infamous Dr Rowland John Traill settling down in 1852 at Collaroy Station where he served as a pastoralist until his passing in 1873. He and his wife Elizabeth Hannah (nee Windeyer) had 8 sons, who went on to have many grandchildren, four of whom served in World War 1.
These three brave men and one brave woman made history, representing their area and their country with valour.
Cecil Raymond Traill, fourth son of Mark Windeyer Traill, was in the Royal Flying Corps in England and flew the Sopwith Camel fighter aircraft. He represented the Australian Division of the Flying Corps in a tennis match against King George V and his team, later he was presented with a memento inscribed by the King.
Arthur Cecil Traill, second son of Arthur Irby Traill, enlisted on the 16th of October 1916, and lost his life on 26th May 1918. He died in Flanders, as a Seargent within the Machine Gun Section with the A.I. F. He and his wife wed in 1915, however, due to complications, Florence passed away during childbirth and their daughter was adopted by her aunt.
Dorothy Maud Traill, second daughter of Arthur Irby Traill was a nursing sister in Egypt with the 14th General Hospital A.I.F. She trained as a general nurse at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, at a time when it was unusual for women to have such a career. She did private nursing after the war and was a dedicated worker for the Mission to Seamen and the Red Cross. Her fiancé was an English officer who died in Flanders and is buried in France.
James Hamilton Traill, youngest child of Arthur Irby Traill initially enlisted in the 1st Light Horse Regiment, served at Gallipoli, then later transferred to the 4th Australian Camel Corps, before attaching to the Australian Flying Corps. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1918 for gallantry in flying operations against the enemy.
NSW Flood Recovery Operation 2022
DRA’s flood recovery operation in New South Wales

Get involved
Planning for upcoming operational deployments is now underway. If you are keen to participate or find out more, express your interest today.