ReForest Now Floods - We Need Your Help

If you follow us, you will know Talenza have been partnered with an incredible bunch of humans over at ReForestNow since 2020. We donate trees for every placement and referral that we make, as part of our commitment to the planet and sustainability. They have been severely impacted by the recent flooding in NSW, and the stories and kindness coming from the staff and community there is something we are truly humbled to see, and we want to help... Talenza have made the first donation of $5,000 and we are calling out to our networks and communities to ask please if you can, join us in donating... no matter how small.

Your tiny act of kindness for a stranger can never be underestimated. Check out an update from the team and some of the stories of who you will be helping below:

 

NE NSW was almost completely blacked out (no phone or internet communications) for a week after the devastating floods. Those that could, found hills that were just in reach of reception. Access to drinking water in towns, such as Lismore and Mullumbimby, quickly became a problem. Food and fuel supplies dwindled rapidly. There was no organised aid, only what the community could muster in just a short day or two. Mullumbimby Civic Hall was bursting with both overwhelming support and chaos. Community organisers and volunteers did a spectacular job at providing support and managing the influx of physical donations.

 

Although not every story has been shared, some staff may have been so overwhelmed by this disaster that they have not shared their situation with us even after communications were restored in the region.

 

Many were trapped for days or still can’t access their places of residence by car due to severe road damage. Government support for lost income is around $330 per week (the same as Jobseeker), which is approximately enough to cover rent for a single room in a share house in this area and doesn't cover food, transport, or any possibility of replacing anything that has been lost.

 

Some of the ReForest Now staff will be out of work for weeks and many do not have the physical or mental capacity to work after such a disturbance to their lives. As they are contractors, they can only rely on inadequate government support. Quite a number of our staff are from overseas but have been living in Australia for years. These people are unable to access ANY support from the government and are left with nothing and stranded. Many staff feel overwhelmed returning to work as their community around them deals with the cleanup. However, we have started to organise team volunteer days where those who feel able are coming together to offer help to those affected.

 

 

Michelle

Lives in South Lismore and lost everything she owns. She spent six hours on the roof of her house before being rescued by SES. Her car which she relies on for her business & to collect rainforest seeds for our nursery was washed away and written off. She managed to save a couple of treasures from her muddy car (including seeds she collected earlier in the week which she was happy to save as they’ll be used to restore rainforest and fight climate change)

 

Maria

Lives in Upper Main Arm and is still cut off due to severe road damages. The only way out is on foot.

She was in the process of moving houses from Upper Main Arm where her house was impacted by a landslide, to Mullumbimby which was impacted by flooding. She is currently living with her neighbours with only her hiking pack. Maria checked on people and assisted the elderly by hiking from Mullumbimby to Upper Main Arm with their medication. When she finally had access to reception, she let us know how she was and said “It’s been real out here! Someone got buried in a landslide! Everyone still alive anyway.”

 

 

Brad

Lives in Mullumbimby on one of the streets hardest hit by the floods and managed to be rescued by boat when water was at chest height. He has had severe damage to his home, although he did manage to save some possessions such as clothing, which was spared after being tossed at the top of wardrobes.

 

 

Franzi

Franzi is an International student from Germany and not eligible for any government flood support. She lives in Mullumbimby right next to Chinbible Creek and spent all day awake watching the creek rising and decided to evacuate in the middle of the night. She is lucky that only a small amount of water ended up entering her home but she still hasn’t been able to move back in due to a power outage, no running water, no reception/internet, and mould. While not being able to work she continues to volunteer in the community and help in areas in desperate need of hands and support.

 

 

Joey

Spent hours reconstructing a roadway with rocks and concrete to restore access for emergency supplies to reach the Goonengerry community. He hasn't given a full recount of his story yet, but he has already been back in the nursery to help clean up.

 

 

Pierre

Lives in Lismore, we still haven't heard much from Pierre, the community all around him was absolutely devastated. He has not been to work and is spending his time helping his community, friends, and family.