About us
About the NDRO
The idea for the National Disaster Recovery Organisation (NDRO) was created while viewing news reports during the 2019/2020 bushfires in New South Wales and Victoria. Founder Wayne Smith felt that there were opportunities to contribute services and support to survivors in particular and communities in general. Research was undertaken to determine the service areas most in need and the best way to deliver programs to fulfill those needs. By June 2020 it was decided to create a disaster relief charity that would deploy its resources purely within Australia for the benefit of Australians and guests to our country.
The NDRO was born.
We are now developing and implementing disaster recovery programs which are designed to improve the mental and physical health and wellbeing of survivors of disaster events.
Further to that end, the charity has established ‘Social Enterprise’ businesses such as The Deductible Alternative and All Roads Workforce to provide much needed fundraising to help maintain the programs and continue our growth.
All of our work is carried out exclusively within Australia for the benefit of Australian communities. Our services are delivered ‘behind the scenes’ from the start of a disaster until well after the disaster event has passed and is no longer in media headlines. These services include:
- Disaster Survivor Counselling (Individuals and Groups)
- Community Protection Officers (CPO)
- Rehabilitation Home Parks
- LGA Communications proofing
- Business Recovery Teams
- Peace Corps Reconstruction Teams
- Peace Corps extended living Quarters - Onsite
- Peace Corp extended living Quarters - Offsite Accommodation
- Off Grid power supplies, water purification units and Logistics
- Livestock Mini Arcs
Disaster events produce uniquely challenging situations that can leave survivors vulnerable to extended periods of traumatic symptomology. The NDRO provides professional counselling for anyone struggling to come to terms with their experiences. First responders, Health workers, Business Owners and General Community members have individual and nuanced responses to disaster events. NDRO Counsellors have been specially sourced to employ their ‘Lived Experience’ in their counselling approach, for the benefit of all clients.
Disaster events produce uniquely challenging situations that can leave survivors vulnerable to extended periods of traumatic symptomology. The NDRO provides professional counselling for anyone struggling to come to terms with their experiences. First responders, Health workers, Business Owners and General Community members have individual and nuanced responses to disaster events. NDRO Counsellors have been specially sourced to employ their ‘Lived Experience’ in their counselling approach, for the benefit of all clients.
These are specially trained security personnel deployed into the field to carry out security patrols. Their specific brief is to help prevent looting. They are not deployed to arrest people or to have any physical confrontation at all.
Looting is a crime of opportunity and the NDRO wants to eliminate that opportunity by simply being seen.
The NDRO’s committed focus on Community Health is the driver of all its disaster relief programs. Rehabilitation Home/Holiday Parks extends this commitment to a higher level. Established to offer a respite from the trauma of disaster clean up and rebuilding efforts, the NDRO Parks are designed to be a safe space for disaster survivors to recuperate from these traumas.
The NDRO will work closely with Disaster Coordinators to identify people who are experiencing difficulties from a disaster event. A week or two at one of Rehab Parks might be beneficial and assist them with their recovery.
One of the first pieces of infrastructure to be damaged or destroyed during disaster events is communications. In collaboration with related and external companies, the NDRO is creating a program to build and maintain a ‘Communications Proof’ off-grid facility which will ensure that communication with the outside world is available when communities are at their most vulnerable position.
The solution is a combination of a Solar powered, D-Gen backup, Non- explosive Battery set within a solid shipping container. Annexed to the shipping container will be a communications hub through Star Link plus facilities for Water Purification and power ups.
Every disaster recovery effort needs volunteers and there are always plenty of people who pitch in to help, because it’s the Aussie way.
Unfortunately, this help can cause unintended problems. Our teams of volunteers will have special skill sets which make their assistance more streamlined and valuable during disaster recovery efforts.
Particularly with business clean up efforts where having people assisting who have real world experience with particular industries such as General Retail outlets, Supermarkets, Doctors surgeries, Solicitors and Accountant offices etc etc.
These teams can also be deployed as reinforcements where existing staff may need to miss work because they have personal clean up to contend with at their own properties.
The NDRO has set itself an ambitious goal to create a standing cohort of qualified building trades people specifically for the purpose of reconstruction and building requirements of disaster affected communities. This cohort will be known as Peace Corp Australia.
Peace Corp Australia will install small cottages on site, on their own properties where requested, by disaster survivors. This will allow them to live close to their properties during the rebuilding or repair of their homes.
Similar to the Onsite solution but on a larger scale and designed to accommodate multiple groups of people where it is impractical to install a cottage on their own property. These removable structures will be constructed on land allocated by council or private land owners who wish to support the initiative.
A combination of Solar and Batteries will provide a small Energy Hub with multiple functions to assist LDC’s
A safety shelter for livestock, the Arks will be designed for use during a range of disaster events including Cyclones, Floods and Bushfires.
First responders, general community members, business owners and their loved ones carry the burden of experience from these events which is sometimes difficult to deal with.
Professional experienced counsellors are provided to assist survivors on the road to recovery from the trauma of natural disaster events.
These are specially trained security personnel deployed into the field to carry out security patrols. Their specific brief is to help prevent looting. They are not deployed to arrest people or to have any physical confrontation at all.
Looting is a crime of opportunity and the NDRO wants to eliminate that opportunity by simply being seen.
The NDRO’s committed focus on Community Health is the driver of all its disaster relief programs. Rehabilitation Home/Holiday Parks extends this commitment to a higher level. Established to offer a respite from the trauma of disaster clean up and rebuilding efforts, the NDRO Parks are designed to be a safe space for disaster survivors to recuperate from these traumas.
The NDRO will work closely with Disaster Coordinators to identify people who are experiencing difficulties from a disaster event. A week or two at one of Rehab Parks might be beneficial and assist them with their recovery.
One of the first pieces of infrastructure to be damaged or destroyed during disaster events is communications. In collaboration with related and external companies, the NDRO is creating a program to build and maintain a ‘Communications Proof’ off-grid facility which will ensure that communication with the outside world is available when communities are at their most vulnerable position.
The solution is a combination of a Solar powered, D-Gen backup, Non- explosive Battery set within a solid shipping container. Annexed to the shipping container will be a communications hub through Star Link plus facilities for Water Purification and power ups.
Every disaster recovery effort needs volunteers and there are always plenty of people who pitch in to help, because it’s the Aussie way.
Unfortunately, this help can cause unintended problems. Our teams of volunteers will have special skill sets which make their assistance more streamlined and valuable during disaster recovery efforts.
Particularly with business clean up efforts where having people assisting who have real world experience with particular industries such as General Retail outlets, Supermarkets, Doctors surgeries, Solicitors and Accountant offices etc etc.
These teams can also be deployed as reinforcements where existing staff may need to miss work because they have personal clean up to contend with at their own properties.
The NDRO has set itself an ambitious goal to create a standing cohort of qualified building trades people specifically for the purpose of reconstruction and building requirements of disaster affected communities. This cohort will be known as Peace Corp Australia.
Peace Corp Australia will install small cottages on site, on their own properties where requested, by disaster survivors. This will allow them to live close to their properties during the rebuilding or repair of their homes.
Similar to the Onsite solution but on a larger scale and designed to accommodate multiple groups of people where it is impractical to install a cottage on their own property. These removable structures will be constructed on land allocated by council or private land owners who wish to support the initiative.
A combination of Solar and Batteries will provide a small Energy Hub with multiple functions to assist LDC’s
A safety shelter for livestock, the Arcs will be designed for use during a range of disaster events including Cyclones, Floods and Bushfires.
Who we are
We are a team of change-makers who believe that every helping hand can raise a child and create a better future for them.
The NDRO board:
The NDRO has a mission, and we need your help to deliver it. That mission sees the NDRO ready to assist, from the beginning of a disaster to the end and beyond.
Duke Myrteza
Chairman
Duke Myrteza is an accredited specialist in commercial litigation having over 30 years of experience as a solicitor, with a demonstrated history of success in the legal services industry.
He specialises in dispute resolution in the areas of contract, consumer, corporate and commercial law disputes as well as defamation, insolvency and intellectual property.
Tim Stevens
Secretary
Tim Stevens is a highly trained and experienced sales and marketing professional. His specific skills encompass all aspects of the sales experience from both a business development and account management perspective.
Wayne Smith
CEO and Board Member
Wayne Smith is the Chief Executive Officer for the NDRO and the Licensee for The Deductible Alternative.
Wayne has more than 30 years of experience in real estate and business and is passionate about facilitating the rollout of NDRO programs across Australia.
NDRO counsellors
Dr Jo Stephens
Dr Jo Stephens is an Australian registered counsellor and registered paramedic. She has 30 years experience as a health professional in a myriad of clinical, managerial, educational, and academic roles. She has been a paramedic and nurse, practicing in remote, rural, regional towns and metropolitan areas of Queensland.
Jo is now an Adjunct Senior Lecturer with Queensland University of Technology, and practices as a registered counsellor in her own private counselling practice in Brisbane and in the not-for-profit sector, supporting regional and rural communities.
She has a particular interest in working with people on the autism spectrum, people with disability and their families. She also supports paramedics, police, nursing and allied health professionals seeking counselling and reflective practice support.
More information on Dr Stephens can be found at her website – https://www.drjostephenscounselling.com/
Tina Myrteza
Tina Myrteza is a 30 year veteran of the Queensland Catholic primary school education system.
In this teaching capacity Tina was increasingly called upon to personally counsel many students experiencing difficulties in their lives. She has since made the decision to retire from teaching and devote her energies to full-time counselling.
She trained as a counsellor and formed her own business and she is now an in-demand counsellor doing what she loves, helping young people find their way through the sometimes foggy path of life.
Tina holds membership with the Australian Counselling Association and the Queensland Guidance Counselling Association.
More information on Tina can be found at her website – https://cardiacounselling.com.au/
Liz Tully
Liz Tully is a Workplace Mental Health expert who specialises in delivering Mental Health First Aid certifications within group settings.
With an extensive background in human resource management working for large corporate organisations, Liz has first-hand experience of the daily dynamics of vibrant workspaces.
Her expertise and experiences have imbued her with the passion to share her insights with groups of employees and employers.
Mental health awareness is at the heart of her training and her primary goal is to teach people what to look for and how to interact with colleagues.
In the disaster relief space, Liz works with businesses, community groups and councils.
More information on Liz can be found at her website – https://mentalwealthatwork.com.au/
NDRO business coaches
Tony Meredith
Tony Meredith is an award winning and highly sought after business coach who brings his expertise and knowledge to assist businesses with the painful task of re-establishing their business processes and systems after natural disaster events.
Tony has spent over 25 years working in senior roles for some of the world’s largest organisations. He has extensive sales, marketing, and leadership experience, and works with clients in multiple channels, including FMCG, pharmacy, retail, food service, services, franchising, and manufacturing.
Tony has qualifications in commerce, marketing, human resources management, leadership, mindset, and neuro linguistic programming, and is able to couple this with real world business coaching experience to ensure outstanding results for clients.
More information on Tony can be found at his website – https://tonymeredithcoaching.com.au/