"Rural Response
Group"
Background
Over the
years, our Club has had a proud history of organising and participating in
working bees to assist rural communities and families in the aftermath of
bushfires, floods etc. In recent years, members have assisted in areas such as
Omeo, Mitta Mitta and Grampians. These working bees have been organised by
members directly eg Omeo, by other 4WD clubs (Swifts Creek) or by 4WDV (Mitta
Mitta, Grampians).
As the
summer of 2006/2007 approached, some members of the Club started thinking about
how our Club could be better prepared to respond quickly when we know that
rural families and communities have been impacted. That led to a group of
members (Bette Phillips, Laurie Finlay, Ian Hastie, John Campbell, Brian and
Alison McLaughlin, and Doug Hammerton) discussing the issue and developing the
concept of the Rural Response Group.
A key
consideration in the development of the concept was the issue of how best,
immediately after a fire or flood, to quickly identify and make contact with
the affected communities and families that need and want our assistance. That
led the members holding informal discussions with the CFA, SES, and various
community groups. The SES advised that we should make ourselves known to the
delegated "Emergency Recovery Manager" in each rural municipality.
They operate under the Victorian emergency services legislation and set up
"Recovery Centres" in municipalities in the wake of emergencies. Our
discussions with two Managers in areas affected by the Grampian's fires and the
recent Licola/Coopers Creek fires showed enthusiasm for our services.
Members
have also discussed the concept with Graeme Walsh (President of LROC) and 4WDV
staff. We have their support.
The idea
really gained traction after 4WDV President Michael Coldham's address to our
Club in November when he emphasised the public relation and political benefits
to the 4WD movement of Club activities that benefit the community.
The Rural
Response Group
Rural
Response Group has been established as a sub-committee within the Pajero Club
and is an entity similar to the Mobile Land Care Group. The accompanying flyer (see link below) has been produced
to advertise the Rural Response Group. Page 1 lists the types of services the
group offers. These are the types of services the Club has provided in the
past. The Group's "Statement of Purpose" is listed on page 2 of the
flyer.
Management
of the Rural Response Group
The Rural
Response Group sub-committee has been convened and Doug Hammerton has been appointed
as its Coordinator.
The Group
would advertise its services by distributing its flyer by personal contacts
etc.
The flyer
contains a contact email address for the Group ruralresponse@pajeroclub.com.au.
Any e-mails received will automatically forwarded to both Doug Hammerton and
Laurie Finlay. When a request is received for services, the Group's
Coordinator would be notified immediately and the sub-committee would appoint
member(s) to manage the request(s) and any subsequent working bee(s).
Any working
bees would be Club trips, advertised to all members, and led by a Trip Leader
in accordance with the Club's trips by-law. Members participating would be
covered by the Club's insurance, as for any other advertised Club trip.
Costs to
the Club
The Rural
Response Group will not require any significant or on-going funding from the
Club's budget. There will be small initial cost for printing 100 flyers, and
it is likely that the Group will want to purchase a few tools from time to
time, such as sets of wire strainers for fencing work. At that time the Group
will request funding.
As per past
practice, and as stated in the flyer, the Group will provide labour in the form
of volunteer working bees, not materials for re-construction.
Members
will not be paid any costs for attending working bees.
Next
Steps
The Group
proposes to take the following actions :-
1.
Commence
advertising its services to the rural communities by various means including
distribution of the flyer to the various Emergency Recovery Managers, SES, CFA,
and other community groups and interested agencies and persons.
2.
Invite
participation in the Group amongst club members and members of other clubs as
requests are received.
Click
here to view the Rural Response Group flyer
OH & S
Guidelines for RRG Work
If you are not Pajero Club
members, and wish to participate in RRG activities, why not join the club
and gain the benefits of
full membership, else temporary membership is available
Pajero Club
membership application form
Temporary
membership application form