Operation Turner

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 (DRA) 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 were redeployed during November and December 2020 to finish what was started. Our goal was to assist over 20 families in debris removal, land clearing and assisting them in their recovery efforts which were still underway before the next summer’s extreme weather hit a community that was still without power and residing in makeshift dwellings. 

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.