Troy Freyee encourages Instagram followers to help flooded towns
Social media star Troy Freyee tapped into his 100,000 Instagram followers to rally a flood response for devastated communities. Find out how he used his influence to save lives.
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Gold Coast photographer Troy Freyee has used his strong social media presence to rally a rousing response to utter flood devastation.
The 33-year-old uploaded stories and posts during the floods which gained attention with his 100,000 Instagram followers.
“I started posting what we needed and the next minute it was gung ho,” he said.
His followers shared his posts, using Freyee as a source of sharing important information.
“I got a message saying we need a helicopter – this person needed medication desperately,” he said.
Mr Freyee said within 30 minutes a helicopter had arrived to assist.
“It blew my mind. It changed my perspective.”
“Everyone wanted to help, it was absolutely amazing. It’s been very emotional,” he said.
Mr Freyee said it was “ridiculous” that Mullumbimby, Ballina, Kyogle and Byron shire residents were not included when Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced additional disaster payments for people in Lismore, Richmond Valley and Clarence Valley shires on Wednesday.
“It makes no sense, I don’t understand it,” he said.
“It’s unfair – people have lost so much.”
His team headed to Condon, Murwillumbah, Chinderah, Woodburn and eventually Coraki and Lismore.
“No one was helping these people, so we packed our cars with food and water,” he said.
“We had to figure out a way to deliver supplies to these people, so we took boats and jet skis.
“It was a crazy operation - loading boats up with food.”
Mr Freyee said there was very limited support for the people struggling with the floods.
“I was baffled. I couldn’t see any support outside of the community.”
Mr Freyee said his Instagram stories typically reached 1000 people, but during the floods they were reaching up to 6000 due to sharing and re-posting.
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