Veterans assist in NSW flood recovery

A message from Disaster Relief Australia

Veteran-led organisation Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) is on the ground again, this time assisting communities in northern New South Wales to recover from recent floods. Several Forward Operating Bases have been stood up across the region, including in Taree and Port Macquarie. Volunteers continue to undertake tasks including damage assessments, chainsaw operations and debris removal.

DRA continues to work closely with disaster response and recovery agencies including the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) and the NSW Reconstruction Authority. 

The operation is named ‘Operation Locke’ in honour of Sergeant Matthew Locke MG, who was killed in action in 2007. Sargeant Locke, originally from NSW, served with distinction in East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2006, he was awarded the Medal for Gallantry after leading his patrol out of a deadly ambush under heavy fire. 

DRA’s recovery capabilities continue to evolve, and the organisation is increasingly called upon as a viable alternative to the ADF in national disaster recovery. With almost 6,000 volunteers, Disaster Relief Australia has teams in every state and territory, with an increasing veteran cohort. DRA’s model of active volunteering has been proven to enhance wellbeing and mental health, particularly among veterans. 

For more information about volunteering, visit www.disasterreliefaus.org.