DISASTER Relief Australia (RDA) volunteers have been hard at work across Nambucca, Kempsey, Port Macquarie and Taree helping residents with flood recovery.
Volunteers are assisting with recovery tasks such as damage assessments, debris removal, chainsaw operations, and property clean-ups.
RDA has named the assistance program “Operation Locke”, in honour of Bellingen war veteran SGT Matthew Locke MG.
SGT Locke served with distinction in East Timor, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
In 2006, he was awarded the Medal for Gallantry after leading his patrol out of a deadly ambush under heavy fire.
“A year later, he was killed in action – leading from the front until the end,” RDA said in a statement.
“Now, we honour his name through the work of our volunteers.”
On Sunday, SGT Locke’s son Keegan visited volunteers on the ground and spent the day in the field assisting with recovery tasks.
Tasked by the National Emergency Management Agency on behalf of NSW Reconstruction Authority, the veteran-led organisation says it is “honoured to be on the ground to help communities rebuild”.
“We anticipate we will be in the area for weeks to come with up to 100 volunteers on the ground every day,” the RDA said.
