As the waters rose in Murwillumbah in February 2022 once again the community came together to respond, help each other and work out what needed to be done. Out of the wreckage has been born HUB 2482 which has now become part of Murwillumbah CORE the Community Organised Resilience Effort. It is a community-led resilience group that is leading the way forward for the Murwillumbah community as it recovers, rebuilds and, like this week, responds to the impact of rain events in the town and it’s surrounds.
‘With the recent rain event Hub 2484 quickly enacted their flood preparation plans, providing regular updates by key Murwillumbah CORE and Hub members on the Hub 2484 Fb page and Flood Clean-Up Fb group, and preparing to move operations to their alternate “out of flood-zone” operational space at the local CWA Hall should the need arise,’ Kerry Pritchard, Lead Coordinator of the Murwillumbah Flood Recovery HUB told The Echo.
‘Hub 2484 is the culmination of the community-led Murwillumbah Donations and Volunteer Hubs that formed organically after the floods in February and March this year. We are actively working with other stakeholders and community groups, both organisations and individuals that are active in this space, to not only recover but to build a stronger, better-resourced community to face our changing environment, and the challenges that brings.’
HUB 2484 award
Recognising the efforts of HUB 2484 Resilience NSW has awarded the group the ‘best in the state’ for the Get Ready Community Award. It recognised HUB 2484 for its community-led response to the flood emergency in February this year, and its ongoing flood recovery support of the community.
Murwillumbah CORE
As part of this HUB 2484 have now become the operational arm of the newly incorporated community-led resilience group, Murwillumbah CORE.
‘Hub 2484 is continuing the work of helping the community to restore their lives and homes, and has recently won a $50,000 grant from the Northern Rivers Community Foundation to assist in this ongoing recovery effort, as well as $60,000 provided by Anglicare North Coast through funding from DCJ (Department of Communities and Justice) to contribute to ongoing operational costs,’ Ms Pritchard said.
‘In partnership with our community, we hope to continue this work and are calling on neighbours, friends and strangers to be there for one another, to reach out and offer their skills, support and care.’
The community can connect with the HUB by following their Fb pages and be ready and willing to offer a hand.
‘It is this spirit of generosity that keeps a town going in hard times. It will be the difference between those communities who survive and those who thrive. If you can offer your skills or your generosity in any way please contact Hub 2484 on 0403 488 817,’ she said.
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