By Jonty Ralphsmith
A Narre Warren SES volunteer has been inspired by the community spirit in flood affected communities after being deployed to towns in northern New South Wales.
Erin Crockett was deployed as a community engagement facilitator which involved door-knocking to collect data and information about how the townsfolk were going and the level of damage sustained to the towns – these details were then passed on to authorities.
The SES offered support in many towns and were the first services that many locals saw after the flood hit and Ms Crockett said the response was positive.
Ms Crockett was one of six who were assisting from the Narre Warren Unit from Tuesday 8 March until Saturday 12 March.
It was her first deployment to an emergency after having been part of the SES’ operational work in Casey for about 18 months.
“It was hard to see but at the same time, the resilience within these communities and the way they banded together was very memorable,” Ms Crockett said.
“They had already started their recovery process automatically, they knew who was residing on which streets and where the more vulnerable people in the community needed additional support, already setting up mini recovery centres and information points where we could come in.”
Ms Crockett was taken back by the height of the floodwater – often up to two storeys – and was moved by the selflessness of those affected.
In one town she said there was just one working washing machine left and that resident was doing repeated loads for the whole community – those sorts of actions were commonplace throughout the region.
“It was inspiring,” she said.
“We don’t want to go in there and go undo the community bonding they have already put together.
“Our role was to work and enhance what they’ve already achieved in the recovery process within their community – they know their own community best.
“As an SES member we want to strengthen that to enhance the community spirit as much as possible through the recovery process because they’re going through such a tough time – we’re talking about stuff that nobody should have to go through.”
“The community spirit stayed, and if anything it strengthened given they were able to work together in that community and I’ll always take that away with me.”
