In this series for our website and quarterly newsletter, we invite contributions from others who share our commitment to health equity. From partners, practitioners, students and more, we want to hear from and support many voices in the conversation about improving health outcomes for rural and regional communities across Australia. Our latest contribution comes from Kathie Heyman, Coordinator of the Northern Rivers Community Resilience Alliance.
Disasters test us. The 2022 Northern Rivers floods showed both the strength and the cracks. Communities saved lives and supported each other with grit and care. But they also faced burnout, disconnection, and systems that didn’t match reality on the ground.
That’s why the Northern Rivers Community Resilience Alliance (the Alliance) was born. More than 60 grassroots groups, stretching from Grafton to Tweed, have joined to create a collective voice and a practical support network. The Alliance isn’t another top-down structure. It’s built by and for community groups who want to be better prepared before, during, and after disasters.
What the Alliance offers
- Connection: regular gatherings, online and in person, to share lessons and support.
- Resources: a growing online library of ready-to-use templates, guides, and training packages.
- Coordination: co-designed systems that reduce duplication, cut confusion, and back groups up.
- Support: peer-to-peer care, recognising that volunteers carry the emotional load of disasters long after the headlines fade.
Projects in motion
One major initiative is the Strengthening Spontaneous Volunteer Program (SSVP), funded through the NSW Government and hosted by Resilient Lismore. This project is working with 20 pilot groups to test a volunteer management system using Monday.com, roll out training, and develop shared tools. The aim: to turn spontaneous volunteer energy into safe, coordinated, effective help.
The Alliance is also trialling a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Action Learning (MEAL) system to track progress against its vision, and building the ORACLE resource library so any group, no matter how small, can access quality templates and guides.
What members need
Surveys and gatherings show consistent needs:
- Simple digital tools and reliable IT support.
- Shared template packs for volunteer coordination.
- Portable kits and backup power.
- Ongoing peer support to prevent burnout.
- Training that’s practical, hands-on, and region wide.
Why it matters
When the next flood, fire, or storm comes, it’s the local community that gathers. By strengthening their capacity now, the Alliance is reducing duplication, improving safety, and making recovery smoother for everyone — community and agencies alike.
The Alliance isn’t about replacing government or NGOs. It’s about ensuring grassroots energy is supported, respected, and sustainable.
Resilience lives in community. The Alliance is proof of that.
Find out more or sign up: www.nrcra.org.au.
Photo by Maddy Braddon: Alliance Quarterly Gathering in Murwillumbah (July 2025)
