MADRA

About MADRA

Welcome to MADRA's website.

Our community encompasses the localities of Mallacoota, Genoa, Gipsy Point, Wangarabell, Weeragua, Maramingo Creek, Wallagaraugh and Wroxham, collectively known as Mallacoota and District.

Like so many others in Australia, our district was ravaged by fire in the Black Summer of 2019-20. The fires reached us on 31 December 2019 when, in scenes relayed around the world, thousands of people sought shelter on our foreshores as the fires approached.

A total of 123 homes were destroyed and 83% of land area burned. Many more properties suffered damage including losses of outbuildings, water tanks and fences. We lost a much-loved local, Fred Becker, who passed away while fighting the fires. There was significant loss and devastation of wildlife and forest, and much of our wilderness coast infrastructure including boardwalks, lookouts and access steps was destroyed or damaged.

In our district’s living memory, there has been no comparable event.

In the immediate aftermath of the fires, a ‘Thinking Group’ was formed, which led to planning and consultation about implementing a community-led recovery program for Mallacoota. A proposed model for co-ordinating community recovery was put to a town meeting in February 2020, attended by an estimated 500 plus people. The proposal was overwhelmingly endorsed, and the Mallacoota and District Recovery Association (MADRA) was formed.

The first MADRA committee was formed in May 2020, after an election was held to vote for the 44 local candidates who had nominated. In August 2021, MADRA's first AGM led to its second (and current) committee being formed.

Go to Our History for more info about MADRA's early days.