Wednesday 23 March
Thank you to all the generous people who made donations to assist in the feeding of the flood affected residents in Woodburn, New South Wales.
We have sent all donations off today – and the locals are very grateful for your kindness. Our friend Colleen, put in many long hours with a small group of volunteers to feed 1,400 residents, army personnel and volunteers.
Recovery is going to be very slow – 98% of buildings in Woodburn were impacted by the floods. Unfortunately some families have lost their business and their home.
Thank you for your care and kindness in donating.
Friday 18 March 2022:
Colleen and the team of volunteers are at Woodburn again today on the north side of the river preparing food for locals and anyone who needs it.
We have been informed via the Rotary Club from Sonia Hornery‘s office (NSW MLA for Wallsend) that non-perishable items cannot be sent because storage locations are full so please do not send goods. Right now the need is for money to firstly, feed the locals, and then support the rebuilding.
Our thanks to Sunny Duggal, President of Community Response Australia in Victoria, who has contacted us today to refer us to some Sydney contacts.
With Victoria a long way from Woodburn, the best help is cash donations which will go direct to the flood victims, using the donation form below.
Click here to view an ABC article on Sunday which shows the extent of flooding at Woodburn.
Thursday 17 March 2022:
The northern NSW town of Woodburn has been flooded. Residents have lost everything, including their cars, so they can’t leave town to buy what they need. Everything has to be brought to them. The army arrived a few days ago and have no provisions so are also relying on the generosity of strangers for food.
A small group of volunteers from other NSW towns, Qld and SA, are working together to provide three meals a day for the 1,400 residents. Colleen Crawford is a local in Northern NSW from Alstonville, just west of Ballina and a good friend of Erica and Kim Henley. Hearing about the problems people from Woodburn were having getting food, Colleen filled her car boot with food and took it to Woodburn. She has been doing this unassisted for 2 days, costing her up to $600 per day, mostly from her own pocket.
Colleen said today,
“I just thought we were donating food on Monday but it turns out we have been here ever since and I have taken over! I can’t stop now.”
Her small group of volunteers have banded together and on a daily basis are providing a cooked breakfast, lunch and dinner for all residents, army personnel and other volunteers in Woodburn.
They need help to pay for the food they are providing the residents and helpers of Woodburn.
Operation Hope Australia Ltd is charity registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission as a Public Benevolent Institution. Holder of Charitable Fundraising Authority number CFN/25011 issued by the NSW Department of Fair Trading. Registered as a Charity under the Qld Collections Act – Reg. No. CH3219
