Representing communities in the Omeo region

Omeo Region Community Recovery Association (ORCRA) is made up of a group of motivated Omeo Region residents whose work is focussed on driving our community's recovery and resilience in the wake of the 2019/2020 bushfires.

The region ranges from Anglers Rest, Benambra, Bindi, Brookville, Bundar, Cassilis, Cobungra, Doctors Flat, Ensay, Omeo, Swifts Creek, Tambo Crossing and Tongio.

ORCRA's purpose is to be a voice for the community and help prepare for a better future. We do this by:

  • Identifying community needs
  • Getting evidence of community needs
  • Enabling community
  • Advocating for community
  • Communicating with locals, communities, individuals, government at all levels including government agencies and community groups.

Community achievements

Community organisations are working together to achieve results in the Omeo Region.
  • Timeline item 1 - complete

    Anglers Rest Loop Trail System

    Friends of Mitta now have in hand the $100,000 Parks Victoria has requested in order to complete a Concept Brief for the awesome Anglers Rest Loop Trails system. This amazing local asset now has the enthusiastic financial support of East Gippsland Shire, NorthEast Catchment Authority, Friends of the Mitta, and the East Gippsland Community Foundation, as well as in-kind commitments from Parks Victoria. ORCRA and BRV endorsed this hidden gem early on and their advocacy was key.

  • Timeline item 2 - complete

    Anglers Rest: Cell communications tower

    Lobbying to Telstra has been successful with a small cell communications tower to be installed at the fire staging area at the Blue Duck on the Omeo Highway.

  • Timeline item 3 - complete

    Bundara Community Centre

    Bundarra Community Centre has received funding from East GIppsland Community Foundation to upgrade the Hall. It also is part of the STAND program.

  • Timeline item 4 - complete

    Emergency Telecommunications Upgrade (STAND)

    The national Strengthening Telecommunications Against Natural Disasters (STAND) program is being rolled out in our region at reserves and halls. East Gippsland Shire Council has worked with local community groups to nominate locations in the area.

    The upgrades include satellite-linked Wi-Fi and, for most community facilities, a Smart TV and meeting system capability is provided to support communities to remain connected through emergency events.

    Locations are Omeo Recreation Reserve, Benambra Recreation Reserve, Cobungra CFA (STAND only), Ensay Memorial Hall, Ensay Recreation Reserve, Swifts Creek Community Hall.

    Work is tipped for completion by July2022.

  • Timeline item 5 - complete

    ORCRA Community Events

    In November and December 2021 ORCRA marked the two-year anniversary of the bushfires with a series of events designed to bring people together for conversation, information and fun. The events were funded by the East Gippsland Shire Council/Regional Development, and by Bushfire Recovery Victoria. Ensay is next on the list in January(details tbc) with Tambo Crossing's event deferred to January also.

  • Timeline item 6 - complete

    ORCRA Fuel Management subcommittee

    ORCRA has a Fuel Management subcommittee, chaired by Kate Commins that discusses fuel management, planned burns, and the burn off protocols of CFA and DEWLP. Contact Kate for details. committee2@orcra.org.au

  • Timeline item 7 - complete

    Mount Ned UHF repeater installation

    Mt Ned will have a UHF repeater in the new year, helped by DEWLP, which will provide better radio comms all up and down the valley during bushfires and other emergencies. Channel 32 for the area.

  • Timeline item 8 - complete

    Swifts Creek Community Hall Plan

    The committee of the Swifts Creek Community Hall have engaged a consultant to develop a plan to upgrade the Hall. This plan will go to funding bodies to provide the income necessary to upgrade the facilities, provide additional buildings to house the gym, and ensure the Hall is a safe and secure refuge in emergencies.

  • Timeline item 9 - complete

    Tambo Crossing

    Tambo Crossing residents are in the process of establishing a community facility which will be a focal point during emergencies, and house an emergency vehicle to assist during bushfires.