The community of Sarsfield is celebrating following the news that local resident and community stalwart Joanne Andrews was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for her efforts following the Black Summer bushfires.

Sarsfield had about 280 homes before the fire at least 200 were flame impacted and 80 homes were destroyed. In the immediate aftermath of the bushfires, the majority of local residents were displaced, and individuals and families urgently required information, physical and emotional support, and essential items such as food supplies and bottled water.

Within hours of the fire passing through Sarsfield, Jo had opened the hall at the Sarsfield Recreation Reserve and set it up as a community drop-in centre. She collected information about the extent of the impact across Sarsfield and established contact lists of residents and their needs, using these lists to provide community members with information via text message, email and written mail services, no matter where they were located following the bushfires.

Jo also coordinated a team of volunteers who collectively ensured that local residents were provided with food, bottled water, and information about support services available to them. Jo also undertook the mammoth task of driving to every residence in Sarsfield with a team of volunteers, checking to see if local residents were cut off by the bushfires and delivering food and fresh water to community members in person. These visits assisted local residents by providing essential needs and in many cases provided the first link in connecting fire-impacted people with the support services available to them.

Jo’s energy and drive was also instrumental in initiating the regular Friday Night Feeds, where local residents could come together and eat a healthy meal, while connecting with other fire impacted residents. These dinners, which continue to the present day, have ensured that Sarsfield residents now have stronger links to their neighbours and community and have been able to connect with others who are also working through the long journey of bushfire recovery.

Since that time, Jo has continued to form a major part of the bushfire recovery team in Sarsfield through her work with the Sarsfield Community Association and the Sarsfield Hall committee.

Simon Hof, President of the Sarsfield Community Association, said that Jo’s leadership at a time of crisis made a huge difference to the community.

‘Jo was able to cut through the chaos and clearly saw what needed to be done for the community. Her efforts, both immediately after the fires and since then, have resulted in stronger local connections and a range of opportunities for residents.

We are truly excited for Jo; her OAM couldn’t be more deserved, and the entire community of Sarsfield is celebrating with Jo and her family on the announcement of her award.’