GLENRAC - Local Community Champions

GLENRAC has had a key role in supporting our community during recent natural disaster events - drought and bushfire.

Capacity to Deliver - LP008-002

The issue

The Glen Innes district was severely impacted by drought conditions throughout 2019 and 2020. In addition, vast areas of our district were further impacted by bushfires from September 2019 to January 2020.

The severity and extent of these natural disaster events created a huge level of need from across our community for connections with service providers offering access to financial and income assistance; technical advice; mental health services and general well-being.

The solution

GLENRAC played a pivotal role in connecting our community with access to services to support both drought and bushfire impacted land managers. As a community led organisation GLENRAC became the 'go to' for service organisations, community groups and general donations to connect with our rural community in a time of unprecedented demand.

New relationships and partnerships were created over this time, we worked with a diverse range of organisations including CWA Glen Innes and Guyra branches; Rural Aid; Salvation Army; RSPCA Glen Innes branch; Coles; Lions, Quota & Rotary Clubs Glen Innes; and The School Bag Project to name a few.

Over this time GLENRAC hosted many events including our annual Fit Farmers and Rural Women's Day events; a Farmer Update with a financial focus and regular Smoko with Friends events across our district. Local Land Services staff were regular presenters at Smoko with Friends events covering drought-related animal health and nutrition topics for commercial livestock producers as well as peri-urban and lifestyle animal owners.

The impact

GLENRAC's capacity to connect our local community with service providers and donors enabled us to help people when they needed it most. We assisted in the delivery of food hampers; 10-litres of water; gift vouchers for local businesses; Christmas gifts for children and families; back to school packs; dog and cat food.

GLENRAC capacity, assisted by funding through the NSW Landcare Support program, enabled our organisation to leverage new funding to support expanded drought and bushfire support activities for our community including assistance with applying for income and financial support, running Smoko with Friends events and supporting local Christmas tree events to bring local communities together.

Over 2019-2020 GLENRAC's membership increased by 30% as we extended our reach through these support activities. We now have over 1,000 members participating in Landcare activities across the Glen Innes district.

Author: Kylie Falconer