Magazine Aug - Oct 2023

We recently sent out our membership survey to member club CEO’s of the RSL & Services Clubs Association. Early indications are that we have the product and services about right – for the size of our Association. There are tweaks we could do, some want a couple more events, some don’t. Some want more engagement in the veteran and family engagement space, yet others want more focus on club challenges and opportunities to ensure we are thriving in a turbulent environment.

What you did tell us (again) is that you value the personal approach of the team, the communications, the quality of our programs and our purpose. We see, through your eyes, that we are focussed on members and that we listen, albeit on a small scale.

The survey of course, also allows us to reflect on the various programs that we deliver. Our purpose-led programs such as the Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge, Veterans Benevolent Fund, the Last Post Ceremony with the Australian War Memorial, and the Spirit of Anzac Awards; all continue to strike a chord with member clubs. Add to that our well-regarded Annual Conference, our Regional Forums, webinars, newsletters

John Rafferty

Michael Brennan

Patsy Edwards

Glenn Cushion

and FOCUS magazine – we love to promote two-way dialogue with the industry. Some of the more recent additions such as mentoring, the Women’s Leadership Roundtable Series (thanks to the WGHA Grant) and the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Forum add another layer to capability and attractiveness of the industry.

We have a delegation travelling to Greece in a month to commemorate the Battle of Crete. Memorial tours are unique to the RSL&SCA and are an important way to connect to our roots and network with our peers.

If you have any suggestions of initiatives that speak to our purpose, or drive the growth or profile of our industry – feel free to get in touch anytime with Margot or myself. We are only as relevant as the programs we deliver and the member value we provide.

Please follow up at your Club to ensure the survey has been completed so you can have your say – the survey is open until 25 August. We value your feedback and appreciate hearing what you think we’re doing well, and what could be improved.

If you would like to respond to an article, recommend a contributor or even share information please contact the editor of ‘Focus’.

EDITOR bradsmith@rslservicesclubs.com.au We invite any information from outside our sector and our industry, to contribute new ideas and approaches to the challenges we face. Please make sure you provide your name, email address and contact phone number so we can get in touch with you!

FOCUS IS ALSO AVAILABLE TO VIEW ON YOUR PHONE, TABLET OR COMPUTER! VISIT RSLSERVICESCLUBS.COM.AU FOR MORE INFORMATION

Driving your data

Your key success factor

With the Independent Gaming Reform Panel announced recently, it will be interesting to see how things unfold. With 16 seats at the table, many with very different perspectives, it will be interesting to see what the outcomes are – channelling diverse views to one common goal is no mean feat. Given recent changes in Victoria and previous changes in Tasmania, we need to ensure the debate is constructive, otherwise changes will be imposed without collaboration. We will work with our colleagues on the Panel to provide input and hope for practical outcomes that meet the needs of the industry.

In the broader economic climate, the housing and hunger crisis is getting worse, many are struggling, and that would also include your patrons and staff. We are seeing clubs step up with the usual community support via ClubGrants, food and drink specials, raffles, giveaways and more. Be sure that you are checking in with your teams and patrons to see if they are ok and whether they need to be connected with any support services. I am hearing from one charity, that people are finding themselves needing food relief and broader support, who have never needed it before. Double income families is not a guard against these tough times. If there is more you can do, reach out to your local charities and community partners and support those who need it most. The current economic climate belies the significance of the need for some – the gap is widening and we can help. I have no doubt you are already paying it forward – thank you for your ongoing commitment to our community.

We recently shared some research by the Groundswell Foundation on loneliness and the unique roles clubs have to play to combat this. Connections matter. Keep offering the opportunities to come together in your venues and through your sub clubs. And consider what other initiatives there are for your patrons (or new patrons) to congregate in or around your venues. You undertake member surveys – are there any pearls of wisdom in there to trial? Or are you able to have a staff focus group, member focus group or community partner focus group to inform what else might attract patrons to come or stay longer? Clubs come into their own when their communities need them – let’s lean on the brains trust (and use all of the inputs/data we can) and ride the 2023 wave all the way to the top. Let’s share ideas to collectively rise above…

Now that we are almost half way through the year, it’s fair to say there the only thing we can predict – it’s that little is predictable. Some clubs talk about strange patronage patterns that make rostering near impossible. And yet other regions are experiencing a bit of a bubble - things are going relatively well. Many of our patrons won’t be affected by mortgages and may benefit from interest rates rising with managed investments, likewise if kids in their twenties are living at home they have more disposable income and feel like they’ve missed out on enough throughout the last few years and may be going out more than most.

I have heard that some club leaders talk about lead indicators and lag indicators that give them a sense of where the economy is headed. Driving your data as best you can will provide your best guess of which initiatives are having a big impact.

The RSL&SCA Annual Conference is the end of August. We’ll talk about a range of topics to keep you on top of your game. Customer attitudes and behaviours impacting clubs, leadership in gaming and club management, innovation and diversification, branding, our people, disruption and more. Be sure not to miss out – register today.

MEMBERSHIP MAT TERS

For over 20 years, the RSL & Services Clubs Association (RSL&SCA) has been delivering value to our members. But what does this really look like?

For some it’s being able to connect to like-minded clubs or corporate partners at networking functions, for others it’s attending forums and conferences, and yet others it’s plugging in to purposeled programs like the Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge or the Veterans Benevolent Fund.

Let’s deep dive into why membership matters at the RSL&SCA…

Professional Development: Member clubs and corporate partners have a unique set of challenges and opportunities that we are keen to support. Programs such as a highly-regarded Annual Conference,

our Diversity Equity & Inclusion Forum, the combined Gaming & Leadership Conference with our colleagues at LCA, and our Mentoring Program.

The Annual Conference brings together clubs and corporate partners to hear the latest industry developments, share challenges and opportunities, and network with peers. Well-known for high quality content, the RSL&SCA Conference is a highlight of the club and corporate partner calendar, providing industry updates, an overview of what insights corporate partners can provide to minimise risks or optimise opportunities facing clubs, as well as the opportunity to tap into issues of relevance to veterans and their families.

The Mentoring Program was launched

12 months ago by the RSL&SCA. Hear what one club leader had to say about the RSL&SCA Mentoring Program:

“When the chance to apply for the RSL & Services Club Association’s mentoring program arose, I saw it as a priceless opportunity to connect directly with a well-respected leader in the industry who was willing to share their valuable time. We quickly agreed that no subject was off limits and that all topics could be discussed confidentially.

With other networking in the industry, either at events or through email it can be difficult to go deep on certain topics one on one and really hear firsthand experiences from other managers. The Mentoring Program was valuable in finding the most suitable mentor with

experience in the fields I was looking to develop which are relevant to projects upcoming at my Club.

I cannot recommend the experience enough and thank the mentors for their time and sharing their broad knowledge of the industry to myself and the other mentees. I hope that in years to come I can offer the same opportunity to the next generation of managers in our industry.” Paul

In addition to professional development, what many missed during the pandemic were the purpose-led programs such as the Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge. For over ten years, the RSL&SCA have been changing the lives of young people, with the Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge.

Over 600 participants have undertaken

the trek with the support of their club sponsors and the RSL&SCA as part of Category 1 ClubGrants. To drive such a powerful program makes us immensely proud – and we’re always looking for clubs to get involved – so if you’re not already a KYLC club supporter, please touch base with Brad Smith at the RSL&SCA to find out more.

The RSL&SCA has long been known to support initiatives such as Homes for Heroes and Operation Care, and in 2017 this evolved to the creation of the Veterans Benevolent Fund. The Fund has DGR status and is supported by clubs under Category 1 ClubGrants. Core to our purpose as an Association is the support of veterans and their families and the support we have provided to organisations such as Defence Community Dogs, Disaster

Relief Australia, RSL LifeCare, Gallipoli Scholarship Fund, Swiss8 and more, enables us to bring our vision to life.

In this last year, thanks to the support of clubs, we have been able to fund a number of wellbeing and education initiatives for veterans and their families.

Another important program we support thanks to clubs, through Category 2 ClubGrants, is the Australian War Memorial Last Post Ceremony livestream. Seen by over half a million people in the least year, The Last Post Ceremony livestream is an important way to educate our communities and commemorates the service and ultimate sacrifice of over 103,000 Australians whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour.

If you are interested in sponsoring this program, please contact Kylie Gordon.

The RSL&SCA also offers Memorial Tours every second year which are an important way to connect our past to our future, and our sense of purpose as RSL & Services Clubs.

Raising the profile of our member clubs remains a key driver for the RSL&SCA, and so you will see us showcasing member clubs in social media, newsletters, and this magazine. Be sure to share your wins

and challenges with us, as we are here to connect you to those who have paved the way before, to share the big impact you are having, and to support you in any challenges that you are experiencing.

Professional development, networking and knowledge sharing will see us all achieve the mission of the Association, which is to drive growth, profile, and leadership of RSL & Services Clubs. By drawing all of the community together of a strong club or group, we can elevate our clubs as the go-to destination in our neighbourhoods.

We’re told that in many locations, Anzac Day attendance was at record levels, and that in many cases this was driven by younger people. How do we harness this connection to veterans and their families, and drive engagement to clubs 365 days a year? We are here to support you in that opportunity.

So let’s come together and connect for the benefit of clubs and corporate partners like yours – because Membership Matters.

I have been impressed with the outstanding commitment to the industry by the team at the RSL & Service Clubs Association. They, with their CEO Margot Smith are providing excellent communication with informative and timely insights, that add real value to us.

I cannot express enough how grateful I am for the incredible educational opportunities, from CEO’s Symposium to the Association’s Annual Conferences and the Gaming & Leadership Conference that the RSL & Services Association is involved, that have assisted me and my club both professionally and at a personal level from the networks created as a result of attending these programs.

The dedication to the community but in particular serving veterans and their families, through Homes for Heroes, Operation CARE, the Benevolent Fund and Kokoda Leadership Challenge is truly commendable. From providing essential services to creating a warm and welcoming community, the RSL & Services Association goes above and beyond to ensure the well-being of those who have served our country.

I wholeheartedly recommend the RSL & Services Association to anyone interested in highly regarded educational programs and increasing your club’s corporate social responsibility profile by supporting causes that reflect the RSL movement.

Member & Partner Value Proposition

IGT: YOUR GAMING SOLUTIONS PORTAL

As showcased at this year’s Australasian Gaming Expo, IGT’s latest innovations have been designed to boost your business and offer a variety option to choose from.

IGT’s new Peak hardware is now available in Australia including the PeakDual 27™ and PeakCuve49™. Boasting all the popular features from IGT’s Crystal cabinet series, the Peak cabinets deliver a range of enhanced attributes including a re-imagined play experience with screens perfectly optimized for players, seamless curved dual screen game play transitions and an ergonomic dynamic player panel featuring dual ‘bash’ buttons.

An assortment of link and standalone games have been introduced to IGT’s game library, with enhanced features on player-favourites and new game play features, including:

• Portal Link™ & Portal Loot™ - the evolution of IGT’s successful Outgrow family with enhanced game play, second chance and respin features for a more dynamic player experience.

• Cash Ching™ - this SAP series takes the traditional respin mechanic to a new dimension with repeat win opportunities and includes four game titles, each offering unique free game features.

• Prosperity Link™ - brings IGT’s global performer to the Australian market. This new ¬link offers four game titles and combines two exciting game play features to create a special respin bonus feature.

• Boost It Up™ - new Link and SAP series with an innovative game mechanic and added player interaction for heightened win opportunities.

The IGT ADVANTAGE CLUB™ system enables venues to be more agile, competitive and adapt to change and is delivering the simplest user experience in the move toward digital and cashless, meaning easier and faster player adoption.

A range of systems exciting products, designed for the local gaming market, are available including IGT’s digital wallet solutions developed for the current digital wallet sandbox trial at Club York and beyond. These solutions are ready for the digital and cashless evolution that will soon be a player expectation across Australian gaming venues.

“Our suite of solutions are designed to deliver more player entertainment and help grow customer revenues in the ANZ market,” said Dallas Orchard, IGT’s Chief Operating Officer APAC.

“We continue to leverage our global strength with a very localised focus to create diversity across our games, hardware and systems portfolios”.

Providing venues with a range of solutions to meet requirements for today and into the future is a key under pinning factor to IGT’s approach to planning and product development for its hardware, games, services and systems offerings.

UPTOWN PROGRAM

Telling the stories of local districts and neighbourhoods at night is a key part of the Office of the 24-Hour Commissioner within NSW Government. As a city, Sydney has a wide and ever-growing group of great going out districts and a big part of my job is to support these areas to be even better.

Great global cities have iconic night-time areas that offer unique experiences, be it the Meatpacking District in New York, Roppongi in Tokyo or Shoreditch in London. Whilst Sydney can boast many outstanding areas, we perhaps haven’t shouted enough about what’s truly on offer.

Would a tourist coming to Sydney, for example, know to visit dining districts in Eastwood, Burwood or Harris Park? Would they know about the clustering of art galleries and music venues in Chippendale? Or a lively craft beer scene in Brookvale? They all exist and you are going to hear a lot more about them over the next few years.

My Office has established a new program called Uptown, which is a capability and connection-building program for districts across Greater Sydney. The program encourages private sector organisations in a particular area to work together to enhance their locality.

Through a series of workshops and mentoring, teams are offered support on a range of skills that support the development of good going out precincts. They include district visioning – what's the story of the place and what’s on offer?

Branding and marketing training so they can tell the world about it. And then several modules relating to operational mattersgovernance, pitching skills, grant writing and sponsor attraction and development. The program culminates in a pitch night, where teams sell their vision to a room of industry peers. The program is open to applicants at the moment and we hope to see even more teams participate this time around.

Beyond the workshop series there is a financial component of the Uptown program, and so far 21 teams have received up to $200,000 from NSW Government to aid their work.

The program is deliberately private sector led. Whilst we work in close collaboration with local councils across NSW, and they are a valued partner, local businesses give a unique perspective on their districts and customers. They are at the forefront of developing enticing offers and atmospheres to attract people through their door. By tapping into this knowledge, and supporting what they do, we should improve the overall nightlife experience for people in Sydney and NSW.

What will success look like? I sometimes say that my job will be done when people visit Sydney and are too busy to see the Opera House. Which is not to disparage the world’s most impressive cultural institution, but a reflection that Sydney has so much to offer to locals and visitors. I want to see vibrant districts lit up across the city and beyond, in all pockets of Greater Sydney.

State government can play a role in providing advice, support and financial assistance, but we need the vision, energy and ingenuity of operators. I would welcome interest and applications from across the RSL and Services Clubs network. You create great spaces for patrons to come together for fun and socialisation. You are often the bedrock of local communities and give vital opportunities for creative talent to shine. The impact of your work can only be enhanced by partnering with neighbouring businesses in a meaningful way.

You can find out more about the Uptown Program at nsw.gov.au and search for Uptown. Sydney’s nightlife has had a tough time over recent years, but is seeing a real resurgence, led by local districts. I hope you can be part of this journey.

GAMING GOVERNANCE AND SUSTAINABILITY IN CLUBS

Clubs will have been watching with keen eyes the various trials and tribulations within the gaming regulatory framework over the past few years, being a particularly sensitive issue across politics and media.

Whilst the clubs industry has a great level of interconnectedness, clubs cannot always rely on the collective to advocate for their cause. As not-for-profit legal entities with a community purpose, clubs have ESG built into their ethos in the manner with which many corporates and other public companies are trying to catch up. With the kind of current scrutiny over clubs, it is imperative that clubs advocate their ESG experience loud from the hilltops. However, this only has merit when clubs ensure they are also fulfilling their legal and compliance obligations to embody the highest levels of governance. These are critical to each club's long term sustainability.

There have been a significant number of developments for clubs regarding liquor, gaming, registered clubs and AML/ CTF regulation that it can be hard to keep up. In August, my fellow partner Brett Boon will join a panel at the RSL&SCA Annual Conference in Melbourne to discuss some of these developments with lessons for club management and board on how to keep the long game in sight.

In the meantime, below are some key compliance and regulatory areas of which clubs should be aware and take proactive steps in the short term to address as part of building their long-term sustainability

Accountability Code: The introduction of this Code into the NSW Registered Clubs Regulation changed certain accountability requirements but essentially it was not a fully new set of obligations. Yet, it continues to be a bugbear for compliance, with clubs not always strictly complying with all of the Code's requirements. It is essential that clubs seek advice about their procedures for maintaining the mandatory Accountability Register, the kinds of disclosures that need to be included, how they are identified in the document etc. Club directors and top executives should take caution to properly document interests, disclosures, contracts etc. in this register and at Board meetings to ensure high levels of transparency mitigating against any external criticism and enforcement activity for not making that information clear, whether it be from other members or from L&GNSW. For instance, even if well understood in the Boardroom that a certain director regularly does contract work for the Club, the absence of proper protocols and observing the Code's requirements can raise serious questions and regulatory investigation.

RCG Officers and Gaming Incident Register: The regulator has long sought to implement some kind of concept that gaming floors warrant a dedicated staff member to monitor patrons for problem gambling behaviours and to record such observations and incidents in a specific gaming incident register. Implementing such vague obligations can be extremely difficult, particularly to find the balance between regulatory expectations and practical realities. Although legislative attempts were contemplated around 3 years ago, since then ILGA has gradually been imposing

licence conditions to oblige clubs to engage such RCG Contact Officers and maintain such a register. Recently, ILGA's ability to do this was successfully challenged with the Supreme Court finding in the Whitebull Hotel case that ILGA did not have the power to impose such conditions pursuant to the Liquor Act when it was considering applications for gaming machine thresholds and gaming machine entitlement transfers under the Gaming Machines Act. This decision is currently on appeal due to be heard in August 2023 with a determination thereafter. In the interim, clubs should still be considering how to better enhance their vigilance of problem gambling behaviours. Various digital platforms have emerged to assist clubs with this task, which if implemented could go a long way to assist with streamlining the record-keeping requirements such that clubs can keep tabs on at least a certain proportion of regular patrons.

Input limits: In July 2023, the Victorian Government announced the introduction of mandatory pre-commitment for all gaming machines with massive reductions on cash input limits to $100, which will likely have a very harsh impact on the operators of gaming machines in that state. In some ways, this aligns with the recent NSW announcement to reduce cash input limits (but only for new machines) to 500, also being 10% of the prior limit. This will similarly have a significant impact on NSW venues, even if more staggered than Victoria. This requires clubs to conduct a much deeper review of their operations, especially to build up preparedness for those changes to gaming operations, create a strategy and vision for their future and how they will continue to remain viable community assets, explore diversification, and identify what steps they must undertake both individually and collectively to protect their interests.

Anti money laundering: Compliance expectations continue to increase, with AUSTRAC in regular engagement with clubs to both better understand for themselves how money laundering works within gaming operations, and to demonstrate to the sector and community a tough approach to enforcement. AML/ CTF requirements are complex and onerous. However AUSTRAC is presently unlikely to take a sympathetic view towards clubs that are falling behind in their compliance, or not demonstrating that this is a serious priority for them especially following the findings regarding Crown and Star Casinos. To that end, clubs should ensure that management are reviewing any existing AML/CTF risk assessments, employee due diligence and training programs, updating their procedures for reporting to the Board regarding AML/CTF and have installed regular independent reviews of their AML/CTF program. Despite various questions being raised about the NSW Crime Commission Report's findings into the extent of money laundering activity in clubs, we would still recommend that clubs remain focused on ensuring high levels of AML/CTF compliance to remain guarded against activity and also to avoid unwanted regulatory scrutiny.

There are many more regulatory and compliance matters on which we are advising regularly. Each club should step back and carefully analyse the implications for their own business of not being on top of their compliance and then invest the time and resources on it – because regulators are wanting to see clubs assessing their ROI for compliance and not just the monetary ROI for their gaming operations.

VETERAN & FAMILY ENGAGEMENT

When we talk about the long game, something so strategically important for us to ‘get right’ is veteran and family engagement. There is much debate in various circles about what isn’t working, but when it comes down to it – we need to crack on because while everyone is debating, our veteran and family community is getting left behind.

So, what are some things you can do?

1. Organise a program of initiatives for Veteran Health Week on 8-15 October 2023

There is no ‘one size fits all’ for veteran and family engagement so we would encourage you to test a handful of events and experiences and see which work, for learnings for a year-round program, or to roll out next year.

Some ideas could be a morning tea, BBQ, barefoot bowls for families, book club, yoga class, guided meditation, wellness seminars, family fun day (face painting or petting zoo), family picnic day, live music, art workshops, group walk from the club and coffee after, scavenger hunt in the club, sporting activities, family bingo, club job fair, and more.

In addition, you could provide special promotional offers –buy one get one free morning teas or dinners or similar. Mothers group activities, grandparent offers, gym passes or use of facilities for that week etc.

Ideally getting input from your local contemporary veteran community on what types of activities and promotions resonate with them is ideal, in order to shape a program that engages with a variety of veterans and their families.

2. Support the Veterans Benevolent Fund via Category 1 ClubGrants

– let us help you have an impact

For over five years, the RSL & Services Clubs Association with the support of our member clubs have been supporting veterans and their families via the Veterans Benevolent Fund (VBF). Prior to that we supported programs such as Homes for Heroes and Operation Care – the VBF has allowed us to expand our reach to have a more significant impact to veteran and family wellbeing and education. Contact Kylie to find out more kyliegordon@rslservicesclubs.com.au

3. Leverage commemorative events all year round

With record-numbers reported at a number of clubs for Anzac Day 2023, we are seeing an increased support of and attendance at commemorative events with our broader community. Be sure to encourage patrons to sign up for membership to be part of our community all year round.

4. Engage with local schools and community groups to build awareness of the role of RSL & Services Clubs and the RSL Movement – share details of initiatives such as the RSL & Services Clubs Association’s Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge or local sub Branch initiatives.

The more education we can provide our communities, the more opportunities we have to engage with them, and to create awareness of the sacrifices made by current and ex service personnel.

DISASTER RELIEF AUSTRALIA WINS HEARTS & AWARDS

Keno stands behind award-winning not-for-profit Disaster Relief Australia, offering a lifeline to devastated New South Wales communities.

When the murky, lethal flood waters in the Northern Rivers district swelled in August 2022, the sheer devastation to homes, properties, and businesses was nothing short of catastrophic.

As the torrent abated, depositing walls of putrid mud, debris, and wreckage in its wake, and a community in despair, Disaster Relief Australia’s teams arrived to confront the shocking aftermath.

DRA’s Operation Riordan, in the NSW Norther Rivers, saw the deployment of 172 volunteers, who worked almost 14,000 hours to complete 126 separate clean-up jobs between August and September.

“Rural and regional areas are disproportionately impacted by disasters” explains Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) Chief Executive Officer Geoff Evans, “many are older, less well-off and often uninsured.”

“When we turn up to help a community, it is not uncommon to find that in house after house everything is destroyed. It is very confronting to see people lose everything they have, they are just so overwhelmed.

“We help them take the first step in their recovery. They can see a glimmer of hope, and, in the course of one day’s work, it can turn someone’s life around, both the community member and the volunteer helping them.”

Operation Riordan was just one of numerous life-changing operations for the independent, not-for-profit, which rapidly deploys volunteer teams to provide relief to disaster-impacted communities in the wake of large-scale disasters.

Since its founding in 2016, DRA has deployed teams on more than 50 disaster relief operations across Australia and around the world and assisted more than 200 communities in their recovery.

Now, thanks in part to the support of Keno, DRA can aid hundreds more disasterimpacted Aussies. On 5 June, Keno announced it would provide a $200,000 donation to DRA. The funding is the second

instalment of $200,000 over two years, taking Keno’s total financial backing to date to $600,000.

This vital cashflow has supported DRA in several other major recovery operations in addition to Riordan, including Operation Simmonds in Forbes, Operation Kelliher in Coraki and Moreton Bay, and Operation Trail in Cassilis and Coolah.

These saw DRA deploy almost 900 volunteers, who contributed close to 35,000 hours to accomplish more than 780 jobs.

This inimitable organisation is capable of providing diverse recovery services ranging from debris management and home repairs to more specialist tasks like aerial damage assessment and disaster preparedness training. And although DRA’s capabilities and operations are large-scale, every small job is personal and important to its veteran-led team of volunteers, not least of all Evans.

“One job that really touched me was where an 83-year-old lady was left with a threestorey tall, burnt-out gum overhanging her house, which meant she couldn’t live there,” shares Evans.

“We were able to bring that tree down. It completely changed her life. She was able to live in her own home again and feel safe.

“I recall a similar job where an elderly widow wanted a much smaller tree cut down despite a lot more apparent damage from fire around her home. What we figured out is that every time she walked out the front door and saw that tree, it triggered her, and she would feel as though a wall of flames was coming for her.

“Another I’ll never forget was an old bloke who simply wanted help sorting out his garden shed. We were able to find his toolbox among the debris. By the time we left, he was inspired to get started on repair jobs again.

“We had literally enabled him to start his recovery process. It might seem like a small thing, but sometimes those first steps can’t be taken alone.”

The significance of DRA’s work has been acknowledged at the highest level nationally. It was recognised for Outstanding Achievement in the 2022 Australian Charity Awards – the third consecutive year it has received an award in this category.

“This is an acknowledgement and validation of the work our volunteers do on the ground,” Evans emphasises.

"We are positioning to be Australia’s number one civil contingency capability in disaster recovery. At the moment, only the ADF can provide a capability in that area.

“We do win awards, but it’s not just for shovelling mud, we combine modern battlefield methodologies with disaster relief best practice, and we are leading the field in many areas.

“The support of our partners is more important than ever now. Our government funding pays for administrative infrastructure. Without the support of Keno, we wouldn’t be able to deploy our volunteers.

“We have a long and proud partnership with Keno. Keno has supported us for years to help communities after disasters when no one else was coming to help.”

To find out more about DRA and volunteering, visit their website at disasterreliefaus.org.