Club Forster Steps Up Community Support After Flood Disaster

As part of their disaster relief initiatives, Club Forster underwrote a $50,000 contribution to the Mid Coast Community-Led Flood Response (MCCFR), an innovative grassroots effort initially coordinated by locals Holly Rankin and Tanika Perry.

The funding helped mobilise over 1200 volunteers working alongside the SES, ensuring lives were saved and urgent needs were met, helping to reach the most vulnerable residents.

This initiative has actively engaged more than 30 community-based organisations and supported over 400 residents directly impacted by the floods. Under the guidance of Biripai Elder Will Paulson, MCCFR has remained focused on First Nations inclusion, ensuring recovery is locally informed, culturally respectful and inclusive.

Beyond immediate relief, Club Forster’s funding has helped sustain a dedicated leadership team of 20 individuals—many of whom took leave from their employment to serve their community full-time. Their coordinated efforts included producing over 20 media articles, maintaining a Facebook group of 1800 locals, and developing digital and place-based communication to keep residents informed throughout the recovery journey.

Now in its seventh week, the community-led response has grown into a robust, coordinated model of care. Newly appointed Director Mel Harwin, a Taree local with global disaster recovery experience, said: “These types of upfront, responsive contributions give tirelessly dedicated community volunteers room to breathe.

“Beyond that though, this funding is foundational security, allowing us to develop a sustainable model of volunteer care that can attract more funding and community support so we can remain throughout the long road to recovery.”

With Club Forster’s support, the Mid Coast Disaster Recovery organisation has become a formally incorporated not-for-profit association with clear planning, budget alignment, and long-term recovery goals. The team is now working toward an ambitious fundraising target of $300,000 over the next three months. In a further milestone, MCCFR has confirmed a new partnership with Australian Red Cross to bring more staff and mobile psychosocial care to the region.

“The support from Club Forster has been truly outstanding. From financial contributions to volunteer care, they’ve enabled us to move faster and with more certainty during one of the region’s most challenging times. Their generosity has been felt deeply by the community,”
says Holly Rankin, Mid Coast Disaster Recovery Co-Ordinator.

Recognising the need to care for the carers, Club Forster also provided food and beverage vouchers and respite for volunteers—a gesture of appreciation that lifted spirits and reinforced that their tireless work was valued.

“We’ve witnessed an extraordinary outpouring of strength, unity and selflessness during this time,” says Peter Clarke, General Manager of Club Forster.

“On behalf of Club Forster, I want to express our deepest gratitude to every volunteer, community group and individual who rolled up their sleeves to help. Your dedication has been truly inspiring, and we are proud to support such an incredible community effort.”

One of the most heavily impacted venues in the recent floods was the Taree Aquatic Club, affectionately known to locals as ‘The Sailos’. Clubs across NSW rallied behind the Taree Aquatic Club, contributing substantial funds to support its rebuild. These donations will go directly towards critical repairs and restoration work, enabling the venue to reopen safely and resume serving its local community.

Club Forster was one of many to lend support, transporting and donating furniture and electrical goods valued at nearly $38,000 to replace items lost in the floods—helping the Club reopen faster.

“Taree Aquatic Club was hit hard by the floods, with over 1.4 metres of water inundating our top level and causing more than $1.5 million in damage,” says Peter Hemingway, Taree Aquatic Club Secretary Manager.

“We are incredibly grateful to Club Forster for donating pre-loved furniture and equipment—it’s saved us thousands and helped us get back on our feet. Club Forster truly is a Club for the community, and we’re proud to share such a strong friendship.”