Swan Volunteers lending a helping hand

Published on 07 May 2021

East Swan Fire Brigade volunteers were deployed to Kalbarri to help with the recovery effort in the wake of last month’s tropical Cyclone Seroja. 

Popular tourist towns Kalbarri and Northampton were left devastated by the category three storm, with properties, shops, hotels and community facilities suffering shattering damage.

East Swan Fire Brigade volunteer Nathan Garrington said he put his hand up as soon as he got the call.

“Swan State Emergency put a call out, and within an hour-and-a-half we were on our way,” he said.

“Over six days, we were driving back-and-forth between Geraldton and Kalbarri, dropping off supplies and picking up locals from the airport and taking them to the control centres to find their accommodation.

“It was heartbreaking to see the devastation along the main street of Kalbarri, all the windows were smashed and 90 per cent of roofs had been torn off.” 

Nathan said that despite the devastation, locals were in good spirits and appreciative of all the support they had received.

City of Swan would like to thank Nathan as well as the following East Swan Fire Brigade volunteers that were deployed as runners to Kalbarri:

With the help of our volunteers and State Emergency Services, Kalbarri is on the road to recovery.