Evans Head, New South Wales, Australia
The sound of helicopter rotors as they drop off food supplies has become a normal sound in the coastal village of Evans Head, on the Northern Rivers of New South Wales.
Surrounded by floodwaters, there has been no way for supply trucks to come in and stock the two supermarkets or refill the petrol tanks of the one petrol station in town.
Despite that, Evans Head residents have rallied to help their outlying neighbours.
Karina Smith and Wendy Heath, two of the volunteers at a ‘pop up’ op shop run by the Evans Head Presbyterian Church amid floods in the Australian states of New South Wales and Queensland. PICTURE: Samantha Elley.
The Evans Head Presbyterian Church has turned from a place of worship into a ‘pop up’ op-shop, providing practical love and support to those badly affected, and the gifts have been rolling in on a constant basis.
“We’re servicing over 500 people and there is still 150 people at Woodburn and 200 at Rileys Hill that we are sending items out to,” said Tara Moreman, wife of pastor Les Moreman. “We have sent out a portable toilet, clothes, sanitary items, pet food and toilet paper, amongst other things.”
Tara believes the op shop will be around for a good week before people will be able to go home, so will continue to need items.
“One of the first people that came through was an elderly couple with their adult daughter,” she said. “He was in his pyjamas and that’s all he had, not even shoes.
“We were able to give him clothes and they are so incredibly thankful and amazed. It’s a humbling experience.”
Lynne and Steve Fernance are members of the church and have taken in three families who lost their homes, at the same time as having to deal with the loss of their car automotive business of 14 years in the city of Lismore.
“I have always been a person that if you see a need, you want to help,” said Lynne. While we are blessed to have a roof over our heads and a place to sleep, we knew we needed to provide that for others. God has blessed us and although we’ve lost our business, we can also share in the pain with others. We can all support each other and lean on each other as Christians. We can pray together as we are all on the same page. We just need reminding and it helps in times like this to be able to look to the Lord for guidance and comfort and refuge together. We are family.”
Floods in the community of Broadwater about 30 minutes drive from Lismore. PICTURE: David Webster
Chef Mark Elley has come out of retirement to lend his expertise to feeding the numerous people who have come through the evacuation centre.
“Initially [the evacuation centre] was a group of volunteers getting together without any leadership to help as many people as possible,” he said. “But then as we went along things are starting to take shape. Helicopter drops, routines and rosters are now established. The overall response from the community is awesome.”
Elley said they have had to get a person to organise the volunteers as well as there have been so many.
“Helping at the evac centre has been a chance to not be self-centred,” he said, while dealing with the loss of house and cars. “I’d rather be helping than feeling sorry for myself. There are a lot of broken people there and they have lost stuff but they are also putting their hands up to help.”
Correspondent Samantha Elley is married to Mark Elley.
