Supporting communities through partnership
Together with Australian Red Cross, we're supporting communities to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters.
Since 2019, we've offered free mail redirection to thousands of Australians unable to return home because of a disaster. Together with our customers, we've also raised more than $1.9 million for Australian Red Cross through donations at participating Post Offices and other fundraising initiatives.
These contributions help Australian Red Cross support communities before, during and after disasters, including helping people prepare for emergencies, providing support during a disaster and assisting recovery efforts.
Through our partnership with Australian Red Cross, we're helping more people access the information and resources they need to prepare for disasters, because being prepared can help communities recover sooner.
Helping children prepare for disaster across Australia
Through Pillowcase Workshops, Australia Post and Australian Red Cross help children in high-risk areas learn practical ways to prepare for emergencies. Each student decorates a pillowcase to take home and use as the start of an emergency kit with their family.
The workshops help build resilience by:
- Helping children and families understand what to include in an emergency kit
- Building confidence and reducing stress when preparing for disasters
- Encouraging households to be better prepared for emergencies
Pillowcase workshops help students prepare for floods
See how students in Derby are preparing for future floods through the Australian Red Cross Pillowcase Workshops.
Read transcript
Video: Student holding her pillowcase with the Australian Red Cross logo in the top left corner and the Australia Post logo in the top right corner
Audio: (Student 1) I would pack in my pillowcase a blanket, some food, some water, some of my awards. I would also pack a mobile phone just in case the news has anything, and a med kit.
Video: Children drawing on their pillowcases and using cards to decide what to pack in their pillowcase.
Video: Jane Anderson, Executive General Manager Community, Sustainability & Stakeholder Engagement talking to camera
Audio: (Jane Anderson) Australia Post supports programs like the Pillowcase Workshop because we're really committed to stronger and more resilient communities.
Video: Outside of a school, Red Cross Volunteer and Member of the community looking at a brochure on “Are you disaster ready?” And talking about it.
Audio: (Jane Anderson) In a world where we're seeing an increase in the frequency of severe weather events, it's really important that people know how to prepare and how to respond to those terrible situations.
Video: Two Red Cross Volunteers are sitting in a classroom - talking to the school students and asking questions - Pillowcases are then handed out to each child.
Audio: (Jane Anderson) And we know that children can be powerful change agents, and they have this opportunity to learn in the classroom with their friends, and then take those practical skills home and share those with their families.
Video: Nichola Krey, Director of Resilience and Recovery, Australian Red Cross - Nichola sitting with the children at the tables laughing and smiling.
Audio: (Nichola Krey) Educating children early about being prepared for disasters means that during a disaster, they're less likely to be fearful, they know what to pack, and they're going to be more in control of their evacuation. So, working with children early is critically important to creating a resilient community in Australia.
Video: Anna Evans, Deputy Principal. Illawong Public School. Anna speaks to camera while we see footage of children opening up their pillowcases and getting ready to decorate them
Audio: (Anna Evans) We have students who live in a bushfire-prone area, and we want our students to be able to assist their families by being prepared for themselves and knowing what to do.
Video: Nichola Krey - Nichola speaks to camera whilst children colour in their pillowcases.
Audio: (Nichola Krey) This partnership allows Australian Red Cross to reach children across Australia to help them be prepared for disasters anywhere, anytime.
Video: Student holds up her decorated pillowcase.
Audio: (Student 2) I learnt that whatever you need in an emergency, you can just pack it in a pillowcase.
Video: Jane Anderson talks to camera in the classroom.
Audio: In some ways, there's no better partnership than one bringing those two brands together to help communities feel safer and stronger, and build their resilience to the increasing threat...
Video: Jane Anderson interacts with the children in the classroom as they draw and colour in their pillowcases,
Audio: … of natural disasters. So we're very proud of our relationship, and it's very important to us and to our team members at Australia Post.
Video: Red screen with Australia Post logo and Australian Red Cross Logo with text that reads Australia Post is proud to partner with Australian Red Cross to help communities prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters.
Supporting customers and communities in times of disaster
- Early preparation
- Essential services
- Fundraising
Encouraging early preparation
Being as prepared as possible can make an emergency less stressful, give more control and reduce the impact on you and your family. Explore Australian Red Cross resources including the RediPlan guide and Get Prepared app.
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1 When you make a donation to Australian Red Cross Society (ABN 50 169 561 394, 637 Flinders St, Docklands VIC 3008 redcross.org.au) at participating Australia Post outlets (Australian Postal Corporation ABN 28 864 970 579, 480 Swan Street Richmond VIC 3121 auspost.com.au), your donation amount will be directed in full to Red Cross' Australian Emergency Fund to help people during disasters and other emergencies in Australia. The fund enables Red Cross to prepare people, provide comfort and care during a disaster or emergency, and support recovery.