Flood Disaster: Support from the Mid North Coast
The scale of the Northern Rivers flood disaster is hard to fathom. Homes, businesses, farms, libraries and art galleries have been decimated. Families and friends have lost loved ones and communities have been shattered. For those affected, it is a crushing tragedy. From the Mid North Coast, we look on and search for ways to help. Many local individuals, businesses, churches and charitable organisations have jumped in and organised donation drives or volunteered to get their hands dirty and assist with the clean-up.
Northern Rivers resident Billy Otto describes the situation as akin to a war zone. “You feel the brokenness of people,” he says. “You see the now ghostly streets where laughter, restaurants, schools and fruit shops used to thrive.” But amongst the devastation he has witnessed “a spirit of unity and togetherness”.
“But with all this immense heartache there is a spirit of unity and togetherness that I haven’t experienced and since pre-covid times. In so many ways I feel so proud to be Australian. I’ve never seen local people act with so much compassion, grace, selflessness and grit, as we go house to house trying to help in this hellish aftermath. It feels like church. I feel like I’m amongst a re-connected tapestry of humanity.”
Helping Our Mates Up North
Here on the Mid North Coast, many individuals and groups have sprung into action. Last week Coffs City Centre boutique Tallow and Tide accepted, coordinated and delivered donations to families in need.
On the weekend, people flocked from all over the Mid North Coast for a ‘Floodraiser’ at The Shed in Toormina. It was organised by Sara Jayne Prince from Archive Mid North Coast, Alice Faircloth from Euflorial and Narelle Andren from Yoga Life. The event featured art auctions, live music, raffles and eats. Time, skills and goods were donated and the many attendees were happy to dig deep to support the cause.
“As this humanitarian disaster continues to play out just up the road, we recognise the long road to recovery and continued support for our northern friends,” said Sara. “We hope that by gathering with our beautiful community, we can raise funds that will warm the hearts and spirit of those in dire need.”
In Woolgoolga, the The First Gurdwara of Australia hosted Sikh volunteers who had travelled from Melbourne. They assisted them in the kitchen as they prepared meals to be offered free to hungry people involved in the Lismore clean up.
How You Can Help
Coastbeat is aware of so many selfless volunteers who have gone to the flood zone to do whatever they can. They include seven people from Coffs Harbour’s Burmese community who distributed donations from many local families. If you’re looking to support grassroots fund-raising campaigns, check out the following:
The Koori Mail has set up a Go Fund Me to support Bundjalung communities impacted by the floods.
Instagram account @floodsrecovery2022 is doing an amazing job of centralising current needs, volunteers and donations.
GIVIT is managing offers of donated goods, services, volunteering and funds, including corporate offers. Find out more and donate here.
Read Nathan’s story from the flood frontline.