The Society has been on the ground and working to alleviate deeply challenging circumstances in regions impacted by the natural disaster after Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred in North NSW.  

The Society’s members, volunteers and staff provided financial assistance to over 550 individuals and households at Recovery Centres, including Ballina, Coffs Harbour and Lismore, in partnership with the NSW Government, between 13 and 19 March.  

We have also offered voucher assistance at Fred’s Place, Tweed Heads, in partnership with Vinnies Assist.  

Our members, volunteers and employees in these areas have banded together in a manner that can only be described as inspiring.  

Paul Edgar, Lismore Central Council President, has been on the ground at the Recovery Centre in Lismore, where he and other members are distributing emergency relief, alongside supporting staff and volunteers. 

About a dozen agencies are present in Recovery Centres, including government services, such as Services NSW, NSW Legal Aid, and other charities, Paul said.  

Our services in affected areas are receiving high demand, including Fred’s Place, Tweed Heads, Mary’s Place, Ballina and Pete’s Place, Coffs Harbour.   

These services deserve special mention for their adaptability and resilience, including thanks to Kim Kennedy, Regional Manager, North East, Homelessness and Housing, Vinnies Services.  

All stores are now reopened, with special thanks to Paula McCormack, Regional Manager, North East, Retail and Logistics.   

All Conference spaces are operational, with special thanks to Clare Van Doorn, Regional Director, North East, MVEI.  

This has been a highly collaborative effort, with expert contributions from teams on the ground and across the whole Society, including Membership, Volunteers and Early Intervention, the Homelessness & Housing Team, Vinnies Services, Emergency Management in People, Culture and Safety, the Property and Facilities Team and ICT in Enabling Services.  

Unfortunately, people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity have been a high percentage of the people visiting the Recovery Centres, especially in the Lismore and Ballina areas, and we recognise recovery will be complex and long-term.  

The Vinnies NSW Disaster Appeal is open to financial donations to assist impacted communities most effectively.  

Thank you to Joy Kyriacou, Director of Programs - Members, for her leadership of the Society’s community-facing response in North NSW.   

We will continue to support the immediate recovery efforts and work with local communities in the long-term recovery efforts in this deeply challenging time. This includes financial assistance offered through our local Conferences across the impacted regions.  

Thank you to the many dedicated teams working in response to Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred’s aftermath.  

Our thoughts remain with everyone affected, especially those who have been directly impacted, the people we assist, and our members, volunteers and employees living in these communities.