Volunteer finds meaning in rebuilding communities
A message from Disaster Relief Australia
While Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) has a tangible impact in helping communities rebuild after a significant weather event, the impact on the wellbeing of residents is immeasurable, as witnessed by volunteer Dan Allan. The Brisbane- based volunteer has spent almost three years with the organisation and has deployed on 10 of DRA’s recovery operations across Australia.
When arriving at a property, DRA volunteers are faced with various tasks to help the residents, who are often unsure about where to start with the clean-up.
Dan has witnessed many occasions where DRA’s presence has given residents hope for the future.
‘When we arrive at someone’s house, the residents are often down in the dumps not knowing where to start with their clean up, but by the end of our time there they have hope,’ he says.
‘We go out there and have that tangible experience where we muck out people’s houses, remove trees, tidy up access points and use chainsaws, but our biggest impact is putting hope back in their lives.
‘While there is plenty of work to do, we also have a wellbeing impact. We can’t measure it, but we can feel it. Our biggest benefit is connecting with the residents.’
DRA is a veteran-led organisation, which is one of the reasons Dan signed up as a volunteer in 2020, along with a desire to help after the devastation of the Black Summer bushfires.
‘I saw the Black Summer bushfires and was looking at a way to help,’ says Dan. ‘The fact that DRA is a veteran-founded organisation and works on the ground to help people was very appealing to me. It felt almost like a calling, it was the perfect opportunity to volunteer.’
Following four years of service in the Australian Army, including a deployment to Afghanistan in 2011, Dan admits he felt like he was unsure of the direction his life would take.
‘I was looking for something meaningful,’ he explains. ‘DRA pulled me out of a limbo towards life, it was a good buffer to get me back to my true self.
DRA helped bring back my confidence and purpose.’ Dan has encouraged other veterans to consider volunteering with Disaster Relief Australia: ‘If you’re feeling a bit lost or need to realign with a sense of purpose – it doesn’t matter what stage of life you’re at – DRA will help you find your feet again. There is always something out there for you.’
For more information about DRA and opportunities to volunteer, visit their website.
Image: Dan Allan undertaking bushfire recovery work in the Bega Valley, NSW.