Eastern Emergency Relief Network Inc (EERN) was established in October 1995 at the instigation of local welfare providing groups (in the City of Whitehorse) in recognition of the need for a central source of second-hand furniture and other household goods for distribution, free of charge, as emergency aid to the less fortunate in our community. It has since evolved to include electrical items (which have to be tested & tagged), non perishable food and some clothing.

It initially operated out of a warehouse in Cook Road , Mitcham (rent free), followed by rented premises in Metropolitan Avenue and then in Varman Court , Nunawading. With the ever increasing demand on its resources and for a need for greater space as well as autonomy, EERN purchased a warehouse at Factory 7, 10 -12 Thornton Crescent , Mitcham with the assistance of its generous supporters and a bank mortgage. With further growth, and an eye to the future, those premises were sold and the current warehouse in the same complex purchased at Factory 1, 10 - 12 Thornton Crescent , Mitcham. It is now debt free.

The warehouse operates to satisfy its core objective through a Management Committee made up of representatives of member welfare providing agencies, the community at large and service clubs such as Lions and Rotary.

The people assisted are those who have been identified to have an urgent need by member agencies. Such need may have arisen as a result of experiencing trauma or loss, where they have a need to move or perhaps cannot afford basic living requirements, where they are struggling to buy essentials such as furniture, (other) household goods, food, personal hygiene products, (some) clothing etc. Such traumas include long term illness, unemployment, loss of home and belongings through fire, domestic violence, lack of family support or homelessness, refugees, excessive debt, uncontrolled gambling.

Recipients can only access the warehouse through member agencies of EERN.

The real value of EERN to the community can be gauged by the amount of assistance it provides to member agencies and their clients. During 2009 , there were in excess of 2800 "distributions" to needy individuals and/or families, an increase of 10.5% over the previous 12 months. Distributions recorded vary from a small quantity of children's clothing or a box of food, to virtually a full house of furniture and other household essentials.

Examples of some of the larger items EERN has been able to provide during the past year included beds/mattresses (835), lounge suites/couches (500)), and wardrobes (135). A total of 1940 electrical items (a 22% increase) were also accessed (after testing and tagging) Such items included TV's (370), washing machines/dryers (360), refrigerators/freezers (100), microwave ovens (110) - and, in addition, some 806 emergency food parcels were handed out (a 17% increase) plus 350 special Christmas hampers. In total, the value of our food support is estimated to be at least $55,000.

Other major ongoing costs included the expenses associated with operating a truck and a van for collections. The overall operating costs of EERN are in excess of $80,000 per annum. There are no paid staff .

Save for modest annual membership fees (currently $40 inclusive of GST), the ongoing running costs of EERN are almost entirely dependent upon donations from its many generous supporters. There is neither State nor Federal funding currently available to this emergency aid facility. As a registered charity, all donations to EERN ($2.00 and above) are tax deductible.

Some details about a few of the significant personalities associated with the story of EERN to date are set out below:

Keith Rooney OAM as the "founding father" of EERN remained actively involved with its promotion and the fundraising vital for its ongoing viability until his "retirement" at the end of 2009. The organization, and the community at large which it supports, will always be grateful for Keith's vision, passion and involvement in its establishment. He is a life member of the organization.

James Jamieson has been President / Chairman of EERN since 2001 & heads its Management Committee. He is a Past President and Life Member of the Lions Club of Blackburn North, which supports the Network with financial assistance and voluntary input. James is also member of the Mitcham R.S.L, Masonic Lodge, Melbourne Walking Club and is the current President of the Early Planned Retirement Group (EPR), a body of 750 retirees.

Ray Freeman has been Secretary of EERN since 1998. He is Past President & Life Member of the Nunawading Lions Club, which also supports the Network with financial assistance and voluntary input. He was Vice President of the inaugural Management Committee of EERN and subsequently he was elected as Secretary/Treasurer at the first AGM in 1996.In 1998 he was elected Secretary when a separate Treasurers position was established, a position he still holds. Ray had over 40 years service with a major Bank prior to his retirement. Such experience has proved invaluable in assisting to guide EERN through its various stages of growth and development especially with financial control, submission writing and personnel management. Ray is a life member of the Ringwood Cricket Club, a member of the Management Committee of the City of Whitehorse Community Chest and is actively involved in the Lions Opportunity Shop in Forest Hill.

Kem Mayberry has been Treasurer of EERN since 2008 . He has a "Diploma in Advanced Business (Accounting)" Swinburne University of Technology. He spent 11 years as a Treasury Officer with the City of Boroondara in charge of investments and he was responsible for Special Committees of Council. He then spent some 10.5 years as Executive Officer of The Jack Brockhoff Foundation Ltd where he was responsible for the complete financial management of a large portfolio of investments.