Wow, what a day!
So much devastation yet so much beauty coming from our community.
A massive shoutout and thank you to all the generous souls who donated to emergency relief today. I was just the transport vehicle — but what a privilege it was to be part of this collective effort.
Today we transported incredible donations from Foster Beach Bums to the Taree Council Chambers, where we met with multiple emergency crisis personnel to discuss how to get help where it's needed most. Nappies, food, water, towels, blankets, toiletries, women's sanitary items, pet food and more — all gratefully received and urgently needed.
After the drop, we returned to Tuncurry with even more supplies: blankets, clothing, shoes, socks, undies, and more food and hygiene essentials. We quickly established an emergency donation and distribution point in Forster, with a big thank you to Foster Surf Life Saving Club for their support! Thank you Kaillan Thomas Kerans-Clay for your help sorting clothes.
Forster Donation and Distribution centre at Forster Surf Club will be open 9am to 1pm.
Thanks to the girls, who are behind the scenes collecting data, creating documents to improve communication systems and coordinating volunteer efforts. They're also developing a comprehensive guide to available crisis support services — something that will be vital for those in isolation or distress.
Over the next few days, our priority is to assist existing services and respond directly to isolated individuals in crisis. Please continue reporting emergencies through SES and Triple Zero, and if help doesn’t reach you, contact us directly, as a community we will see what we can do.
The clean-up has begun, and it’s massive. This afternoon I joined amazing locals clearing over a thousand pieces of plastic off a Pebbly beach Forster. Flood debris, fallen trees, animal remains — it’s everywhere. We’re coordinating with council tomorrow to determine collection and drop-off points.
Huge thanks to Tim, a local volunteer who’s working hard on food drops and liaising with Coles and Woolies for further support.
Our community spirit is alive and thriving — and we need you.
Please register to help with the clean up.
If you can help with:
Clean-up efforts (land or sea),
Volunteer registration
Or anything else...
Please reach out
We have a volunteer sign-up system please register
If you are in crisis and just needing a yarn to keep your mental health OK, please call 1300 552 085 Into the Wild and Soaring Into The Wilderness Inc help line.
Together, we are making a difference