About the
ReStore Movement
Three weeks before the
2019 New Year fires…
I moved into a flat at the back of one of Cobargo's iconic landmarks, the train cafe. Today it stands in ruins along with many historic buildings that made up Cobargo's eclectic stores, brimming with local art, foods and wares. Not only has my town been effected but many communities through out rural Australia are reeling from the worst drought and fires in living memory.
As someone who has experienced the amazing capability and generosity of the community and government in meeting this crisis in Australia, there will always be things that slip through the cracks. While I was in an enforced evacuation "holiday" the word play "ReStore" came into my mind, and along with it a strategy to help my local community reclaim what was lost, both materially and non-materially.
Insurances and government assistance will restore many things, but not all.
The aim of ReStore Australia is to:
Assist rural and marginally disadvantaged communities, businesses and individuals to ReStore those things that a natural disaster took away from them, especially those things that insurances and public grants do not cover. ReStore Australia will especially champion businesses, artisans, the sick, elderly and otherwise disadvantaged or marginalised by being the gap filler in a disaster effected community rebuild, working within local communities and especially for those people who have no access to conventional support services.
Fundraise in order to fulfil item 1 above.
Startup a variety of social enterprises that support and contribute to the fulfilment of part 1.
Restore joy and patriotism to the Australian people, by teaching about and providing expressions for the generosity of her people.
Engage in any activity that enables and supports item 1 above.
ReStore Australia will:
Gather, collate and define what has been lost to community, businesses and individuals as a result of a natural disaster.
Transmit and meet these needs through stories, the use of art, technology, social networks, fundraising projects and enterprises.
Source resources that would otherwise be unavailable and receive grants and donations to establish, fascilitate and sustain ReStores objectives.
Publish achievements and stories of the goodness of the Australian people as needs are met.
Provide opportunities for the public to grow in generosity, hope and constructive consumerism