Clean up continues
Donations arrive at a Salvation Army centre in Bundaberg. (Photo: Lynda Wenham)
The rains have eased and blue skies have returned to much of Queensland and northern NSW, but much devastation, heartache and exhaustion remains in the towns and rural areas hit by recent floods.
The Salvation Army’s recovery work is in full swing, with many areas facing months, and possibly years, to fully recover both physically and emotionally.
In the Lockyer Valley town of Laidley, more than 100 homes and businesses were inundated in the January floods.
“Some people are back in their homes, some are not. Some businesses are open, and some are not,” said Major Marie Gittens, Lockyer Valley Corps Officer.
Moneycare financial counsellors are assisting those affected in the region, including many farmers.
Major Ron McMellon, South East Region Chaplain, has also been meeting with local farmers and others to support and encourage them during this traumatic time.
In the Central & North Queensland Division, recovery teams have been assisting people as they return to their homes, setting up others in temporary accommodation and providing financial counselling and chaplaincy support.
“In Bundaberg, Dululu, Gayndah, Monto, Biloela, Boyne Island, Tannum Sands and Gladstone, people are being assisted with furniture, white goods and other necessities. Supplies come from the Family Store in Rockhampton, and some are purchased through the disaster relief fund,” said Major Glenn Whittaker, Central & North Queensland Divisional Secretary.
In Bundaberg and nearby towns and properties, volunteers at the Tom Quinn Centre and Corps have assisted hundreds of families with clothes, furniture, and a range of other needs.
The emotional and spiritual needs of people in recovery are also being cared for, with the hope of more chaplains and counsellors in the area in the weeks and months ahead.
In northern NSW, the river city of Grafton was hit hard, with many homes and businesses inundated. Mr Lachlan McKay, North NSW Divisional Emergency Services Coordinator, with his team of volunteers, fed people from the catering truck at both the evacuation centre and in temporary accommodations around the city.
In the Kempsey area, Salvation Army Emergency Services teams fed people in evacuation centres at Nambucca Heads, Macksville and Kempsey until late February.
Comments
My name is Lorelle, i am from Maitland NSW, I was at Bundaberg not so long ago, working along side the wonderful fantastic SAES volunteers to help the people of "Bundy" nourish, recover and revive from such a devastating flood. I congratulate every one involved with all emergency services. I witnessed great deeds of compassion, Christianity, extremely hard work, and empathy, even from those local Salvo's helping in the disaster relief centres that had personal losses due to the floods. I wish all of you, and your community well in the recovery and re-build of your town.
Yes, the Bundy Salvos and SAES people have been and are amazing people! I was up in Bundaberg myself with many others helping people and was truly blessed.
The attitude of the locals was they and their family and pets were ok, even though they had lost their homes and everything, all they were concerned about was that their family were all ok. The whole situation really touched my heart and all I could do was listen and offer empathy and compassion, plenty of tissues and water, cups of tea etc. The SAES workers from all over are amazing people being used by God to bless the community and its wonderful to see.
Its also wonderful to see how generous the community and businesses are being, donating to the Bundy Salvos to enable them to help others, just beautiful!!
God bless you all.