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Department of Premier and Cabinet

Appendix 4 - Non Government Organisations

Community Organisations and Partners involved in the Recovery

Organisation Description
Anglicare Anglicare provide a number of services via their Mental Health Stream, Financial Counselling stream and The Family and Relationship Services.
Australian GovernmentThe Australian Government provided a range of assistance. This included financial assistance under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangments to individuals, primary producers and small businesses and additional services from Commonwealth Agencies such as the Department of Human Services. Through the Australian Defence Force, the Australian Government also assisted by transporting generators to Tasmania to help restore the electricity supply to the peninsula in the days immediately following the fires.
Australian Red CrossThe Australian Red Cross is running the Tasmanian Bushfire Appeal at the invitation of the Tasmanian Government in order to provide assistance to those affected by the bushfires. The Tasmanian Government and Red Cross have established an independent Tasmanian Bushfire Appeal Distribution Committee. The Committee's key responsibility is to oversee the distribution of public donations made to the Appeal.
The Red Cross's contribution following the bushfires involved more than 150 Red Cross staff and volunteers assisting response, relief and recovery agencies through activities that included:
  • Assisting in refuges or evacuation centres at Ouse, New Norfolk, Nubeena, Sorell, Hobart and Swansea, offering personal support and registration services.
  • Registering 1,850 of the evacuees and responding to more than 1,570 inquiries from friends and relatives across Australia and internationally who were seeking news of their loved ones' safety.
  • Working closely with government agencies to support outreach delivery in fire-affected communities. The Red Cross volunteers visited 442 homes to provide personal support and recovery information to those affected in the Tasman Peninsula and Dunalley areas.
  • Providing data to inform recovery service planning by DHHS and developing specific mapping products to enable a coordinated approach to the delivery of outreach activities by DHHS and Red Cross personnel.
  • Providing personal support and recovery information to more than 460 bushfire affected people, at the Information Service Hubs at Sorell, Dunalley and Murdunna through until May 2014.
beyondbluebeyondblue takes a public health approach, which focuses on improving the health of the whole population, across the whole lifespan.
BlazeAidBlazeAid is a volunteer-based organisation that is working alongside farmers and families to help rebuild fences that have been damaged or destroyed in the bushfires.
Colony 47Colony 47 offers a cash program to assist with bond and rental payments, a crisis program to help with emergency accommodation and a wide range of services for youth and families.
Copping Christian FellowshipThe Copping Christian Fellowship Community Care Centre assists individuals, communities and families experiencing hardship. The Centre has been providing an outlet for secondhand and donated goods since 2005. In 2008 the Centre expanded its services to provide food relief owing to a significant need in the community.
Community Based Support SouthCommunity Based Support South provides in-home, centrebased and community-based personal support to frail older people and people with a disability, as well as respite for their carers, to enable them to remain living independently in the community.
Dunalley Tasman Neighbourhood HouseThe Dunalley Tasman Neighbourhood House provides a range of support services and activities for the local community, including community education programs, community activities, school holiday programs, information and referral and facilities and services such as community internet access and assistance with form and grant applications. In response to the bushfires, the Neighbourhood House also provided: hot showers, a washing machine, free financial planning advice through a local advisor, and the Dunalley Tasman Neighbourhood House Revegetation and Garden Restoration Program.
FoodbankFoodbank is a non-denominational, charitable organisation that sourced donated and surplus food and other essential items, such as generators and gas bottles, from the food, grocery and retail industry to support people in need following the Tasmanian bushfires. These resources are currently being distributed directly to affected communities via existing Foodbank networks, including welfare and community agencies.
Hobart Show GroundThe Hobart Show Ground offer temporary housing of animals and supplied donated animal feed for livestock owners from bushfire-affected areas. The Showground also provided storage space for St Vincent De Paul to store donated goods.
Insurance Council of AustraliaThe Insurance Council of Australia is the representative body of the general insurance industry in Australia. The Council is working with the Tasmanian Government to support bushfire-affected communities through the process for claiming insurance and working with other key organisations such as the Master Builders Association of Tasmania to resolve issues that may arise during the reconstruction phase.
Landcare TasmaniaLandcare Tasmania sent regular updates regarding bushfire recovery actions to their membership and contacts network (for example, volunteer and donation opportunities, support for farmers, information on post-fire land issues). To support communities in need, Landcare Tasmania raised funds for priority, on-ground Landcare projects in fire-affected areas.
Legal Aid CommissionerThe Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania provided free legal advice to bushfire-affected residents.
LifelineLifeline provides telephone crisis support through their confidential 24-hour Telephone Crisis Support Line.
Lions TasmaniaLions Tasmania responded quickly to the bushfire emergency with members of the Tasman and Sorell Clubs active at fire refuges, assisting with food preparation and relief distribution. As part of the BlazeAid re-fencing project, Lions supported catering needs for the volunteers, providing more than 3 000 hot evening meals and funded breakfast (as well as other food) requirements. Lions also delivered the Community Amenities Unit located in Dunalley. The $150 000 facility in Bay Street (situated on land made available by, and next to, the TFS) features showers, toilets, washing machines and clothes dryers for those who lost their homes in the January bushfires. Lions have also relocated to Dunalley a Tool Library, used after the 2009 Victorian bushfires, which provides a variety of tools on loan to local residents. Lions continues to be active in the farm rehabilitation program, the replacement and repair of emergency service equipment, and in the support of community projects in fire-affected areas.
Mission AustraliaMission Australia offers advice, support and referrals. It also provides access to family, youth and disability support services.
Okines Community HouseBased at Dodges Ferry, the Okines Community House provides a safe and friendly environment for the whole community to meet, share information and resources and strengthen community networks.
Rural Business Tasmania Inc - Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS)The RFCS offers independent assistance free of charge to primary producers, fishers and agriculturally-dependent small businesses in rural areas who have been impacted by the bushfires across Tasmania to achieve commercial recovery of their primary production enterprises. RFCS is able to assist any farmers, fishers and agriculturally dependent small rural businesses who are experiencing the pressures of financial hardship to determine the loss value of farm assets and discuss possible recovery options.
Rural Alive and WellRural Alive and Well is a not-for-profit initiative formed to raise awareness of men's well being. The committee consists of community representatives including TFGA, Southern Midland, Glamorgan Spring Bay and Central Highlands Councils, public health, church groups, Sheep Connect, Department of Primary Industries Parks Water and Environment, and other interested community persons.
Relationships AustraliaA psychologist from Relationships Australia was made available at the Dunalley Neighbourhood House one day a fortnight and one half day per fortnight in Sorell.
Rotary TasmaniaRotary Tasmania has funded the fortnightly community barbecues at Murdunna, provided equipment for firewood/ log splitting, helped to supply provisions (such as water) for distribution by the DISH and contributed food and accommodation for visiting Rotarians volunteering on local properties. Rotary has also helped to fund wellbeing projects for firefighters, purchased a computer and printer for the Dunalley Hall and Recreation Committee, and donated funds through BlazeAid to primary producers for fencing tools and materials used on the Tasman Peninsula and at Ellendale. In addition, Rotary provided $21,000 for pasture re-seeding and has earmarked $200,000 for a new Community Centre at Dunalley. Rotary also coordinated the supply of equipment from Rotary Victoria such as a truck, trailer, skid steer loader, post-hole digger and a log splitter for use by visiting Rotarian volunteers – and also distributed a 40-foot container of goods, which was donated by Rotarians in Victoria.
The Salvation ArmyThe Salvation Army responded to the immediate bushfire crisis with the distribution of 19,000 meals to affected people, emergency staff and volunteers. They also provided immediate cash support, clothing, food vouchers and supplies such as petrol. For 17 days after the fires, the Salvos assisted 233 clients with 571 services, with average support in finance or in-kind support/goods to an estimated value of $112,740.
The Salvation Army has employed a part-time bushfire recovery worker in the region for 12 months to be available for case management support. The Salvos are also working closely with staff from other local welfare and Church groups to provide counselling services. There is a 12-month allocation from funds donated nationally and locally from the community to The Salvation Army for bushfire relief. The Salvos have also been allocated a $30,000 grant from the Australian Government for additional emergency relief to assist people affected by the bushfires.
South East Community CareSouth East Community Care provides community nursing, domestic assistance and home maintenance based on individual client needs.
St Vincent de Paul SocietySt Vincent de Paul Society has the lead role in the management of donated clothing and household items. The Society responded in the following areas:
  • Collection and distribution of donated goods including operating the Showgrounds Collection and Assistance Centre
  • Provision of services from the Dunalley Emergency Recovery Centre
  • Operation of other Emergency Recovery Centre points (Nubeena, Sorell and Hobart)
  • Dunalley Assistance Centre located at the DISH
  • Coordination of community events (Dunalley Winter Warmer Woodchop, Markets and School Fair)
  • Providing financial assistance to families and individuals
  • Supporting community projects
St Vincent de Paul Society will assist with the long-term recovery of the communities affected by the Tasmanian bushfires, helping them to rebuild their lives with financial and material aid.
Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA)TFGA is coordinating emergency response services to support farmers in bushfire affected areas. This includes maintaining a database of affected farmers and their needs; as well as offers of assistance and donated goods and services. Donations to the TFGA Emergency Relief Fund will be directed to assist in the rebuilding of Tasmania's farming community.
Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and IndustryTCCI offered free support to businesses affected by the bushfire. The support includes workplace relations and human resource advice, business advice and assistance.
Tasman Community and Health ServicesSocial workers from Tasman Community and Health Services are available at the Dunalley Information and Service Hub on a daily rostered basis. They are able to provide information and support, referral and advocacy and can offer personal support and counselling. Home visits or contact by phone. Services are confidential and free of charge.
Tasmanian Council of ChurchesThe Tasmanian Council of Churches provided/provides pastoral care and personal support for people affected by the bushfires.
Tasmanian Medicare LocalTasmanian Medicare Local provides easy access to Allied Psychological Services for people affected by the bushfires. See Relationships Australia for details.
Tassielink TransitTassielink Transit is the Government-contracted bus service provider between Hobart and the Tasman Peninsula. Tassielink Transit is working with the State Government and local communities to review its service to the Tasman Peninsula to ensure that it meets the needs of residents, who may need more regular transport to and from Hobart during the period of recovery and reconstruction.
UnitingCare TasmaniaUnitingCare Tasmania delivers family and community services that support and assist vulnerable families, children and young people across Tasmania. They provide emergency assistance and have staff who have been trained as pastoral care officers and are available to bushfire-affected community members. UnitingCare supported the delivery of donated goods by making its big op-shop bus and smaller op-shop support bus available as part of the material aid program to bushfire affected areas.
Volunteering TasmaniaTo manage the huge number of people wanting to support bushfire relief efforts, Volunteering Tasmania established a register of interested people who wished to assist in relief efforts. People on this register were asked to support a range of organisations that required volunteers.