Disaster Relief Australia has returned to the Bega Valley this week to continue the great work begun before COVID-19 shut its efforts down last year.
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If you haven't heard the name before though it's because last time the volunteer organisation was here it was known as Team Rubicon.
Now with new branding but still the same sense of purpose in assisting victims of the bushfires, the volunteers are working in the region around Kiah, Nullica and Pericoe before they shift north to Quaama and Cobargo again.
DRA is predominantly made up of former military personnel and veterans who continue to give for their country by assisting in relief efforts following natural disasters.
Theatre commander for the current operation on the Far South Coast Michael Young said they had heard the area to the south of the shire was in dire need and hadn't had a great deal of assistance so far.
"A lot of the work we do is removal of dead and damaged trees, a bit of fencing work - general clean-up work on people's properties," Mr Young said.
"Some owners have not been able to manage it yet themselves, and other disasters since the bushfires have been getting in the way.
"There are pockets like this all around Australia after disasters. When the TV crews and fire trucks leave so does the attention.
"We want them to know they're not left behind."
Mr Young said DRA was working with the Bega Valley Shire Council, Services NSW, the Department of Primary Industries and other case managers to identify clients in the greatest need of its services.
"Although it's 18 months after the fires there's still a lot of work to be done, and still a lot of hurt there," he said.
"We often find we go into a property and find really broken people - mentally not physically. This is work they may not be able to do themselves, or at least not as quickly.
"Then after we spend a solid day on a whole lot of work for them they are a different person."
Mr Young said as ex-service personnel, the volunteers have experience in being exposed to challenging situations and they have their own wellbeing team to support the crews after what could easily be seen as emotional work.
However, he said a common theme in DRA crews' daily reflections is a wish they could do more.
DRA is to spend around three weeks in the south of the Bega Valley Shire, with their base camp at Boydtown Beach. Then they will relocate to Wallaga Lake for a further three weeks to continue work in the Cobargo and Quaama region begun last year prior to the COVID shutdown.
There are opportunities for community groups and sporting clubs to join in their efforts if you wish. Contact national communications manager Karyn Lanthois on karyn.lanthois@disasterreliefaus.org for details.
How you can help DRA by donating
Your donation dollar does double time. Not only will you help communities devastated by disaster, you also support Australian veterans to find purpose through service. Your generosity in supporting Disaster Relief Australia will provide real hands on help where it is needed most. How to donate: https://disasterreliefaus.org/give.
Disaster Relief Australia needs volunteers
DRA is actively seeking motivated volunteers able to help communities devastated by disaster. They will become part of a nationwide tribe of committed members. If you know someone who is built to serve, share the message. Information on how to volunteer is at https://disasterreliefaus.org/volunteer.
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