Denise Orr
Rainbow Beach Community Centre is gradually adjusting to life under the new team of Jed Elmer, John McLinden, and Lynda Twamley after the resignations of long-time stalwarts Fiona Hawthorne (retired) and Jenny Brown (moved to Gold Coast).
Both women will still offer advice and guidance to the new team when requested to help ease the transition, and Fiona has maintained a presence in the office and in the operation of the Emergency Relief Program.
The emphasis for the new team will be on growing the Community Centre’s membership base and thereby raising the awareness in the population of the importance of strong community-based connections leading to an enhanced feeling of belonging and resilience for all residents.
Evacuation Centre News
In times of emergencies when welfare agencies and other responders are unable to reach Rainbow Beach, the Local Disaster Management Group Coordinator from Gympie Regional Council may activate the Rainbow Beach Community Hall as the Community Managed Evacuation Centre (CMEC).
The Rainbow Beach Hall (CMEC) then becomes a vital facility that provides a safe haven and essential services for individuals and families during times of crisis.
The hall was purpose-built as an evacuation centre in 2012 when authorities saw the need for both a vital facility for not only the enjoyment of social and sporting activities, but also to double as an evacuation centre should the need arise.
The operation of an evacuation centre requires planning, preparedness, and connectedness via community capacity building, which involves sharing knowledge and expertise, which will result in a more informed community, capable of addressing various challenges and making informed decisions.
Over the coming months, the centre’s Emergency Evacuation Coordinator, Denise Orr, will be endeavouring to facilitate a drive to encourage residents to sign up to be part of the Evacuation Centre Team (ECT).
The specialised training in community disaster response mentioned in this article which is to take place in the hall this month will be invaluable in helping with the formation of this group.
