The hard-working volunteers of East Gippsland's Community Recovery Committees (CRCs) were recognised at a get-to-gether in Orbost on Friday, November 10, celebrating the vital role they and their predecessors have played and continue to play in the region's recovery following the Black Summer Bushfires.
East Gippsland Shire Council mayor, Cr Tom Crook, spoke at the ceremony at Orbost Golf Club before joining council chief executive officer, Anthony Basford, to present awards to representatives from CRCs comprising Bruthen, Buchan and Districts, Cann Valley District, Clifton Creek, Errinundra to Snowy, Mallacoota and District, Orbost District, Omeo Region, Sarsfield and Wairewa community.
In the summer of 2019-20, fires in East Gippsland destroyed more than 1.1 million hectares, caused loss or damage to an estimated 410 residential properties and 27 commercial properties, and burnt 5300 square kilometres of state forest and 483 square kilometres of nature reserve. 
There was a quick recognition that collective action would be needed to rebuild and East Gippsland officially began its recovery phase on April 2, 2020.

IMAGE: The volunteers of East Gippsland’s Community Recovery Committees (CRCs) were recognised at a get-together at the Orbost Golf Club on Friday, November 10, celebrating the vital role they played in the region’s recovery following the bushfires of 2019-20.