Jodie Sheldon and her brother are pictured in Lismore, New South Wales just days after the area was overcome with roof height flood waters. The immediate response from the state government was limited. There was no State of Emergency declared therefore opening the way to army and other government controlled assets including monetary assistance.

The on the ground (and water) assistance in the crucial early days post flood was largely conducted by private individuals from the ravaged local area. Reportedly, the fire department was very responsive from the outset, but other agencies such as the State Emergency Service were turning away un-vaccinated volunteers and hot food donations (prepared and packaged in a commercial kitchen) were turned away from one large evacuation centre. These are classic examples of the cumbersome bureaucracy that has hampered Australian society for years.

There were multiple locally run fundraisers done to raise money including the private hire of helicopters to rescue people in remote areas. This is mere months after people exercising outdoors in the Sydney region were being buzzed by helicopters with loud speakers threatening them of arrest. Another juxtaposition to the local response was that the weekend after the floods the police, army and other essential services were marching in the world famous Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade.
Enough of the government bashing though, this writing is to celebrate the achievements and the spirit of connection and fortitude of the (extra)ordinary women and men in the area. One such individual is DC, a man that lost his entire house in the floods in a mud soaked deluge, yet did  not sit there licking his wounds and instead was tirelessly involved in rescuing people's pets, their livestock and distributing supplies to flooded in people via jetski and tinny (small power boat).

Donations from around Australia have been huge and ongoing including hundreds of generators, pressure washers, fans, tools and tonnes of food and clothing. The requirements have changed to the salvage and restoration stage with the need for skilled trades such as electricians and carpenters as well as hard rubbish removalists and heavy machinery operators to clear the piles of rancid mouldy furnishings off the streets.

Check out this Telegram Channel link for regular updates of the flood relief efforts spearheaded by Dave Oneegs and remember this lesson that community not government are the ones you can rely on in an emergency:

Dave Oneegs Telegram Channel