How veteran volunteers are saving flood victims from their darkest moments

Facing two major floods in less than five years, Taree’s father and former soldier Daryl Huett began to lose hope.

His family watched as their home was destroyed, their valuables washed away, and their farm equipment quickly destroyed by gushing floodwaters.

Mr. Huett, who had experienced all this before, knew that there were not enough people to reach neighboring farmlands like his.

So when he heard a group of Australian veterans knocking on his door, ready to help, he said in disbelief, “go away.”

Mr Huett runs an engineering and mechanical business in Taree and lives on a property in Jones River, NSW, with his wife and two sons. Half of their houses were completely destroyed in the flood in 2025. Provided Credit: Source Provided Known

Three weeks later the group from Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) returned with smiling faces and said: “What do you want us to do?”

Mr. Huett now says the group were “little angels” during the most isolated period of his life.

The group first arrived after the Taree floods in May, which claimed five lives, damaged 10,000 properties and forced 50,000 people to evacuate, according to the Australian Natural Hazards Survey.

Still skeptical about how the group could help him, Mr. Huett said, “Look, guys, take your pictures, take your car and leave us alone. I’m trying to run a flooded business. See you later.”

The senior volunteers said, “Why are you being so negative, man? I think we can help you.”

“Yeah man, fuck off,” Mr. Huett replied.

Two weeks later, DRA veterans returned to the rural property with their sleeves rolled up, chainsaw in hand, ready to help in any way they could.

In a few hours they completed a task that Mr. Huett had expected to take days.

“What can we do next?” they said.

Australia is experiencing a nationwide volunteer shortage; natural disasters are occurring more frequently, resulting in a limited number of people available to help in the aftermath.

But DRA is reversing this trend.

Founded in 2016 by a group of Australian veterans who wanted to help communities recover from natural disasters, DRA provides services to communities in need while providing veterans with a “constant sense of purpose and commitment”, said DRA CEO Dave Smith.

The size of the group has grown tremendously, from 2000 volunteers to now 6900; It has increased by 115 per cent since January 2024 and is currently operating under a Federal Government grant.

DRA, now joined by the NAB Disaster Foundation Recovery Team, is bridging the gap and helping communities across the country. Image: Supplied — DRA, now joined by the NAB Disaster Foundation Recovery Team, is bridging the gap and helping communities across the country. Provided Credit: Source Provided Known

Four weeks after the Huetts were first visited by DRA, the crew returned with a new round of aid after joining forces with the NAB Foundation Rescue Team, a team of ordinary Australians who were also looking to lend a helping hand.

A mixed team of veterans, townspeople, men and women returned to the Huett family, ready to begin.

There was one big task left on Mr. Huett’s to-do list: cleaning up his completely destroyed workshop.

This was the one task Mr. Huett said he did not dare to undertake.

“It’s heartbreaking. When you work so hard to achieve your goals of getting this machine… everything becomes submerged and you wonder, ‘How do I do this?’ you ask.

“You can’t do that,” he said.

Disaster Relief Austalia, NAB Foundation Rescue Team, Beck and Daryl Huett. Image: Supplied — Disaster Relief Austalia, NAB Foundation Rescue Team, Beck and Daryl Huett. Provided Credit: Source Provided Known

“I always considered myself a very mentally strong person, but I had seen my friends in the Air Force struggle with this and wondered what it was like.

“All of a sudden I looked in the mirror and thought, ‘God, someone here is experiencing mental stress,'” he said.

The team was able to help Mr. Huett, his wife, Beck, and their two children, Seth and Noah, recover from the devastation the flood left behind.

Mr Huett said without the team he would not have had the mental capacity to go to the workshop, “it was very daunting”.

Because their homes are insured, they — The morale of the Huett family, who consider themselves one of the “lucky” ones because their home is insured, is inspiring. Mr. Huett jokingly thanked the asbestos in the unrenovated part of his home for holding up against bad weather. Provided Credit: Source Provided Known

But the 6,900 volunteers at DRA don’t want the praise.

Mr Smith said the organization was built on a “veteran mentality”.

“This is the concept of service, sacrifice, courage and perseverance,” he said.

Mr. Smith explained that their volunteering not only helps people in need, but also provides veterans with the opportunity to continue sharing their skills.

“The skills, knowledge and experience they have gained from their previous service can be applied in a truly meaningful way… it is something that gets me out of bed every morning with great enthusiasm,” he said.

Now that DRA has partnered with the NAB Foundation Recovery team, more flexible roles are available for ordinary Australians looking to lend a helping hand.

“Once they’re out in the field, the work is carried out by Australian Disaster Assistance, but it’s a really simple and practical way to mobilize and support local communities when they need people’s help the most,” Mr Smith said.

DRA has helped people through the worst of times after multiple floods, bushfires and cyclones, as well as clean-up efforts following an algal bloom in South Australia.