Volunteering Qld latest media release.

Smartphone App to mobilise Qld volunteers like never before

Sunday, 15 January 2012

The next generation of disaster volunteers will be mobilised with the touch of a button, thanks to a new Smartphone App launched today.

Premier Anna Bligh said the free App, Ready Qld – developed by Volunteering Qld with the research assistance of the University of Queensland – would empower Queenslanders to be better equipped to work together in situations of disaster.

“This App will not only inform Queenslanders about preparedness for disasters – resources, checklists and advice – but will also provide real-time updates and information about volunteering opportunities in your local area.

“While our communities were devastated by the natural disasters of 2011, the outpouring of compassion was overwhelming.

“Immediately following the disasters, Volunteering Qld was inundated with calls from people around Queensland and Australia.

“Within three days of the floods striking Brisbane, 55,000 people had registered their desire to help.

“As well as that, thousands of people signed up for the Mud Army – who can forget the images of people dropping everything to help out perfect strangers in their time of need.

“These floods, while devastating, brought out the best in human spirit.

“We always hope that nothing like this ever happens again, but if it does, this new App will be a great source of real-time information,” she said.

Key things you can do on the App:

• Register with CREW (Community Response to Extreme Weather) to be an emergency volunteer;
• See current emergency volunteering opportunities;
• Access all the key contacts for emergencies in one place and save your own emergency contacts;
• Watch the short disaster preparedness and response videos;
• Find out what you need to have in your emergency stay/go kit (and check them off when you’ve got them); and
• Read the latest news from www.emergencyvolunteering.com.au

The project has been made possible through the joint State and Federal Government funded Natural Disaster Resilience Program (NDRP).

Volunteering Qld CEO, Jelenko Dragisic, said the natural disasters of 2011 highlighted just how important technology and social media were when it came to rebuilding homes, neighbourhoods and communities.

“Volunteering Qld has learnt much from the experiences over the last year, now providing better support and services for emergency volunteering,” Mr Dragisic said.

“We’ve enhanced our database of emergency volunteers, agencies and opportunities. Improved services means we can quickly register, search and match opportunities with volunteers easily and conveniently – and Ready Qld will take that to a whole new level.

“It was humbling to see communities coming together to volunteer and whose efforts helped to make the lives of those doing it tough better. Over the past year we have referred over 14,500 volunteers to agencies for disaster recovery work,” he said.

To download the App, search READY QLD on the App store or visit www.emergencyvolunteering.com.au for more information.

MEDIA CONTACT: Premier’s Office on 07 3224 4500

Community spirit still strong one year on from Queensland’s toughest summer

Thursday, 12 January 2012

Volunteering Qld reflects on the year that has passed since so many Queenslanders were affected by the worst disasters to hit our state.

While it was a time of heartache and loss for many, the past summer also brought out an unprecedented volunteering effort and incredible community spirit.

Jelenko Dragisic, CEO, Volunteering Qld, thanks the thousands of volunteers that have assisted with flood recovery efforts, helping fellow Queenslanders get back on their feet.

“One year on, we acknowledge the amazing outpouring of people’s energy and goodwill at a time when it mattered the most. Our thoughts go out to the people who were impacted by the floods, but also to the armies of volunteers that helped with the cleanup, the rebuilding and who supported those in need,” Mr Dragisic said.

“It was humbling to see communities coming together to volunteer and whose efforts helped to make the lives of those doing it tough better. Over the past year we have referred over 14,500 volunteers to agencies for disaster recovery work.

“We are incredibly proud of the work of our Community Response to Extreme Weather (CREW) volunteers. Over 75,000 people have joined CREW, the largest register of emergency volunteers in Australia. We hope the goodwill we have seen over the last year continues in 2012 as volunteer support is still needed for the ongoing recovery.

Volunteering Qld has learnt much from the experiences over the last year, now providing better support and services for emergency volunteering.

“We’ve enhanced our database of emergency volunteers, agencies and opportunities. Improved services means we can quickly register, search and match opportunities with volunteers easily and conveniently,” Mr Dragisic said.

“You can register with CREW online for information on current emergency volunteer opportunities. We also encourage Queenslanders to access our resources on preparing and responding to natural disasters.

Find out more, visit www.emergencyvolunteering.com.au

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