After Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, Disaster Relief Australia's (DRA) Operation Trew demonstrated the strength and commitment of its volunteers. These dedicated individuals worked hard, helping communities in South East Queensland with clean-up and recovery efforts.
The Queensland Government asked us to begin the operation. The main focus was on the Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Redland, Scenic Rim, and the Gold Coast.
Operation Trew involved 114 volunteers. They spent a total of 9,354 hours on the ground. Their efforts resulted in the completion of 102 tasks. Volunteers removed fallen trees and debris to clear areas and free damaged cars. Their work provided crucial help and support to communities in need.
Chris Perrin, Director of Field Operations at Disaster Relief Australia, reflected on the significance of Operation Trew: "As the gap between the response and recovery phases continues to narrow, our volunteers were on the ground to assist with cyclone recovery in Southeast Queensland within 48 hours of NEMA's request. Coordinated from our National Operations Centre in Brisbane, Operation Trew was a significant activation for Disaster Relief Australia."
Perrin spoke about the importance of the veteran-led organisation’s work: "We were on the ground daily to assist communities with the removal of debris and cyclone clean-up. As always, it was an honour to serve the people of Southeast Queensland and a privilege to work alongside NEMA and the State of Queensland to deliver disaster recovery."
Operation Trew shows the strength and grit of Disaster Relief Australia volunteers. It highlights the importance of coordinated disaster response efforts. We can support communities in need by linking response and recovery with our partners. The hard work of these volunteers proves that, even in tough times, resilience and solidarity shine bright.
