Clubs in flood-affected towns in NSW again cemented their position as community hubs by sheltering evacuees in the floods.
The flood emergency stretched from the NSW Central Coast to the Illawarra south of Sydney, with 97 evacuation orders and 60 warnings covering 45,000 people. The majority of orders covered areas surrounding the Hawkesbury, Nepean, Georges and Woronora Rivers.
Of the eleven official flood evacuation centres operating last week, nine were clubs, including Richmond Club, Castle Hill RSL Club, Diggers at The Entrance, Cessnock Leagues Club, Singleton Diggers, Tuncurry Beach Bowling Club, East Maitland Bowling Club, Club Taree and Bulahdelah Golf Club.
At the time of publication, Diggers at The Entrance was still running as an evacuation centre.
ClubsNSW CEO, Josh Landis, says, “My heart goes out to those communities that have been inundated by floodwaters yet again.
“Local clubs in some of the worst affected areas are doing whatever they can to help those in need.”
On those acting as evacuation centres “no doubt more will step up if these weather conditions persist,” affirmed Landis.
“I’d like to thank those clubs for providing shelter, food and emotional support for evacuees. When the going gets tough, clubs really demonstrate their integral role in their communities.
“From Camden Sports Club to Wisemans Ferry Bowling Club, several clubs have also been severely impacted by the floods themselves, just months after the state’s last flood emergency.
“ClubsNSW is in contact with these venues and will assist them in getting back on their feet as soon as possible.”
