By Garry Sanossian
When devastating floods hit the NSW Mid North Coast in May earlier this year, Forster Tuncurry Church of Christ stepped up to support their community, focusing on helping flood-affected families most in need of urgent assistance.
Partnering with Global Mission Partners, the church distributed $100 Woolworths vouchers to around 50 families in need, with some receiving up to $500 in emergency aid to help cover essential groceries and personal items during this challenging time.
Ministry Admin Tamara Clarke at Forster Tuncurry Church of Christ played a crucial role in coordinating the relief effort, working to identify the families most in need through Wingham Relief Centre and organisations in Taree. “The opportunity for us during this time has been to connect with our contacts in the towns directly impacted to share love through gift cards,” Tamara said.
Some families were left with nothing but the clothes on their backs, forced into temporary housing as their homes became uninhabitable. “A couple from my old church lost everything,” Rhonda said. “Friends from Tuncurry Baptist told me others in their community did too.”
Floodwaters submerge homes in Taree NSW and surrounds. Photo credit: Jean Cameron.
While $100 might seem modest, church treasurer Rhonda Gibson explained that for many families, it made a significant difference. “We gave some people $500, but most received $100 gift cards. It’s not much when you consider what they lost, but it helped cover groceries or personal essentials,” she said.
In total, around $7,000 was distributed to families through the relief effort. Amid the crisis, Tamara witnessed an outpouring of generosity and willingness to help.
“I love seeing people giving financially to make a difference. Hearing from other churches wanting to share what they have with people they don’t know is a real encouragement. I love the Aussie spirit of giving people a hand up in the tough times.”
Locals at the church’s Community Pantry.
Forster Tuncurry Church of Christ’s relief efforts received a boost when New Day Church in Wollongong donated $2,000, enabling them to assist five more families in urgent need. However, the region faces a deepening housing crisis in the aftermath of the floods, with many homes rendered uninhabitable and displaced families struggling to find accommodation.
Aerial view of flooding near Taree. Photo credit: Jean Cameron.
“We have increased demand for housing in the area,” Tamara said. “A lot of our Tuncurry/Forster caravan parks have displaced people/families with nowhere to go. There was a housing crisis and now with so many houses uninhabitable where do these people turn?”
Forster Tuncurry Church of Christ’s response to the Mid North Coast floods exemplifies the love and care of Christ in action. While the immediate crisis may have passed, the church remains committed to walking alongside affected families as they rebuild their lives offering not just financial aid but hope, connection and the reassurance that they are not alone.
