Rotary rallies to feed emergency crews

PICTURED:  Laurie Kavanagh, of the Rotary Club of Banora Tweed, Mark Candy, President of the Rotary Club of Currumbin Coolangatta Tweed, and Eve Krahe, Secretary of the Rotary Club of Currumbin Coolangatta Tweed, help out with breakfast duties.

As Tropical Cyclone Alfred lashed southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales in March, it left a trail of devastation in its wake. Thousands of trees were torn from the ground or shredded by powerful winds, and more than 300,000 homes and businesses were plunged into darkness – some for as long as five days.

In the midst of the chaos, Rotary was called to action. Late on the eve of recovery efforts, Clive Rimell, President of the Rotary Club of Banora Tweed, NSW, received an urgent call from Essential Energy, which is responsible for the provision and repair of electricity infrastructure in northern New South Wales. With emergency repair crews deployed across the Tweed Valley, Essential Energy asked the club if it could provide daily breakfasts for 60 workers.

Despite facing their own challenges – including damaged homes, communication blackouts and empty supermarket shelves – the 17-member club stepped up. Essential Energy supplied the food, a barbecue and a venue. Rotary supplied the
people power.

With limited communication channels, Clive reached out to neighbouring Rotary clubs for support. In true Rotary spirit, volunteers from the Rotary Clubs of Murwillumbah Central, Mt Warning AM and Currumbin Coolangatta Tweed rallied together. A rotating roster of four to five members per day was assembled almost overnight.

PICTURED: Rotary volunteers from clubs in Northern NSW provided daily breakfasts for 60 emergency repair workers following Cyclone Alfred, which lashed southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales in March, leaving more than 300,000 homes without power.

From 6:30 am on Tuesday, March 11 – just two days after Alfred made landfall – Rotarians began preparing hot breakfasts of bacon, eggs, sausages, onions, hash browns and rolls. Originally expected to run for up to six weeks, the support was needed for just one. The last breakfast was served on Tuesday, March 18, as the emergency teams successfully completed their work ahead of schedule.

Behind the scenes, the effort was coordinated by Clive, Wendy Scarlett and Jack Wilson, whose dedication and resourcefulness ensured the smooth delivery of meals under extremely trying circumstances.

Essential Energy expressed deep gratitude for Rotary’s contribution during the crisis. Once again, when the community needed support, Rotary delivered – hot meals, helping hands and hope, all served with a side of resilience.