Adelaide Disaster Recovery and Relief

Since the establishment of the Tzu Chi Adelaide Service Centre in 2012, volunteers have been actively involved in local disaster relief. During the 2015 Sampson Flat Bushfire, an uncontrollable blaze destroyed 27 houses and 127 outbuildings, injuring 134 people. Volunteers conducted damage assessments and organised two rounds of distributions. Upon arriving at the Kersbrook Public Hall, the venue manager—coordinated through the emergency relief centre—generously provided the space free of charge. Culinary volunteers prepared snacks for the survivors, and a medical consultation station was set up to provide blood pressure checks.

The first distribution took place on 8 February 2015. Volunteers distributed 103 blankets, 51 debit cards, 32 Jing Si Aphorism books, and 31 bamboo coin banks, benefiting 32 households (18 completely destroyed and 14 partially damaged). Following this, on 22 February, Adelaide volunteers visited and provided emotional support to three families whose homes were lost.

Data from the second distribution:

• Volunteers: 62
• Beneficiaries: 24 households (55 people)
• Supplies: 31 debit cards, 55 blankets, 43 Jing Si Aphorism books, 32 bamboo banks, and 65 Red Envelopes of Blessings and Wisdom.
  The Mayor of the Adelaide Hills, Bill Spragg, attended the second distribution and expressed deep appreciation for the dedication of the local Tzu Chi volunteers.

On 25 November of the same year, a severe bushfire broke out in the Pinery region of South Australia. The fire was devastating, resulting in two fatalities, five people in intensive care, and 90 injuries. It destroyed 87 houses, 384 farm sheds, and 98 vehicles, while scorching 82,000 hectares of farmland. Strong winds reaching 90 km/h caused the fire to spread rapidly, with shifting wind directions impacting nearly 500 homes.

Volunteers arrived in Mallala in the morning to assess the disaster zone and distribute Master Cheng Yen’s Red Envelopes of Blessings and Wisdom. The formal distribution ceremony began at noon and was organised into six stations:

1. Identity verification
2. Collection of debit cards
3. Master Cheng Yen’s letter of sympathy
4. Collection of blankets
5. Sharing Tzu Chi Monthly magazines and books
6. Introduction to Tzu Chi’s origins and the "Bamboo Bank Era"

Distribution data: 53 volunteers served 39 households, providing 39 debit cards, 117 blankets, and 39 Jing Si Aphorism books. Kirsty Dudley, the local government recovery coordinator, praised the selfless efforts of the volunteers, noting how their hands-on comfort and ongoing care truly embodied the spirit of Tzu Chi’s Great Love.