Mission Zero: Australian Resilience Corps to protect country

Mining billionaire Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest’s charity is aiming to create a national force to combat natural disasters.

Exclusive: Young people and volunteers from across Australia are being called upon to join a new disaster army to defend the country against fire and flood in a national service-style campaign to be launched today.

The new “Australian Resilience Corps” is an unprecedented joining of community groups and organisations from across the country into a single national force to combat and prep against natural disasters.

It will train volunteers in everything from landscape and property management to mental health and resilience planning and aims to be the nation’s largest on-call volunteer and training resource for the preparation for and protection against fire and flood.

Pictured at North Head in Sydney is Emily Copley-Moorby, Monique Lehane, Mark Reilly and Adil Jain. Picture: Richard Dobson

The Resilience Corps brings together a coalition of groups including Disaster Relief Australia, Red Cross, Rural Aid, BlazeAid, Lifeline, Lions and Rotary and is backed by former RFS hero and now Resilience NSW chief Shane Fitzsimmons.

It was founded by Andrew and Nicola Forrest’s Minderoo Foundation and NRMA Insurance.

The Forrests said they were overwhelmed by the huge volunteer and community efforts in the wake of the 2019-20 bushfires and wanted to harness that energy into disaster prevention.

“Seeing the outpouring of help following the Black Summer bushfires and hearing from communities themselves inspired us to work with partners to provide opportunities for Australians to direct their goodwill to off-season activities,” the couple said.

“By coming together to prepare each year for fires and floods we can make the seemingly impossible possible and make our communities resilient to the devastation caused.

“This is a program for Australia.”

Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest and his wife Nicola are behind the Minderoo Foundation.

Mr Fitzsimmons said: “We know there is often a surge of people volunteering in the aftermath of a disaster, which demonstrates the community spirit and desire to help which is at the core of our Australian spirit.

“But it is also crucial that people get involved before disaster strikes so we can ensure that we are prepared and ready to spring into action for the next event.

Monique Lehane said she had signed up to stop herself from feeling helpless when disaster struck.

“I was living in Sydney during the Black Summer and remember feeling helpless on the smoky days where all we could do was watch the news and donate some money,” the 25-year-old said.

“To be able to help the farmers with my hands, see the fire-burnt land with my eyes and connect with the farmers and fellow volunteers is a very eye-opening and inspiring experience that keeps me wanting to come back.”

Monique from NSW is an occasional volunteer usually based in Sydney. She travels down to fire-affected areas on her own or with girlfriends to volunteer for BlazeAid. Picture: Instagram

Queensland veteran Adam Moss left the Australian Defence Force in 2015 and is currently head of the Office of Bushfire Mitigation for Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.

He has also signed up.

“I actually don’t know what motivated me to volunteer my time, it sort of just happened,” he said.

“Without really thinking about it I was thrusted into an environment where I was suddenly surrounded by people who were there to get things done, they were busy, they were influencing people and activities but most importantly they were delivering on what they set out to achieve.

“It appealed to me automatically. Our communities across our great nation have been built on volunteerism. Volunteering strengthens the communities in which we live.”

The new “Australian Resilience Corps” is an unprecedented joining of forces of community groups and organisations. Picture: Richard Dobson

Emily Copley-Moorby came from London to Australia in November 2019 as the fires began to take hold and hasn’t been back since.

“I came to Australia for a break and some travel, but ended up caught in the middle of the Black Summer bushfires. Since then I have spent two years in Bermagui and Cobargo.

“I was motivated to start volunteering because I had been witness to the devastation of Black Summer first-hand, yet also to the kindness that had sprung from it. After everything that had been done for me I felt I had to give back, there was no choice.”

South Australian farmer Anastasia Bougesis works with Disaster Relief Australia and has seen the aftermath of disasters, inspiring her to want to fight them before they begin.

“We support individuals and communities who have been affected by disasters and help them on their recovery journey,” she said.

“Some days we can be out using chainsaws, fencing, sifting ashes or removing structures. We really do whatever it takes to get people back on their feet.”

Disaster Relief Australia CEO Geoff Evans – another army veteran – said prevention was key in tackling natural disasters.

“It’s already too late once there is smoke on the horizon,” he said.

“The Australian Resilience Corps provides a crucial opportunity for communities to come together and volunteer to mitigate and prepare for disasters. Resilient communities cope better with the impact of disasters and bounce back faster.”

For more information go to resiliencecorps.org.au