Local community leaders have praised the unstinting endeavours of a tidal wave of volunteers who are helping residents and business owners get back on their feet after last week’s historic floods.
Across low-lying areas of the Indie’s patch – from New Farm, the Valley, Newstead, Teneriffe, Bowen Hills, Kangaroo Point and other areas – the broom shovel and mop brigade dug deep into the well of community spirit to help those affected by the floods. And at the RNA Evacuation Centre, another band of volunteers joined with the major welfare agencies and financial institutions to ensure the homeless were well fed and looked after as they were process for initial cash payments to see them through the darkest hours.
Long-serving local councillor David Hinchliffe said of the way the local community had responded to the crisis: “If there was any doubt what a closeknit, caring and resilient community we really are, those doubts would have been erased with the floodwaters of January 13. I’ve never seen the amount of devastation in the local area, but I’ve also never seen the degree of community support and generosity.
“With the exception of one of two people who griped about the power or about buses not running or their regular rubbish service not being picked up, there was overwhelming patience, understanding and support.
“I particularly want to thank the fine group of people representing the Uniting Church, the Multicultural Community Centre, the Windsor Historical Society, the New Farm Neighbourhood Centre, Holy Spirit and New Farm Schools, local real estate agents, Coles, Merthyr Village and other local businesses and individuals who joined with Grace Grace MP, Senator Claire Moore and myself in convening the New Farm and Teneriffe Disaster Relief Coordination Committee.
“We have provided information for those affected by flooding and power cuts and importantly, we thank the wonderful Neighbourhood Centre staff for acting as the local and unofficial ‘recovery centre’ for the New Farm area and providing laundry and shower facilities as well as food vouchers.
“While we encourage people to contact the relevant agencies, Centrelink, Community Services, Energex etc for specifics, any requests for general assistance or offers of support should go to the New Farm Neighbourhood Centre at 967 Brunswick Street. “Neighbours looked after neighbours. Some selflessly left their flood-affected homes to help others.
"A local laundromat turned over a number of their machines for free use to flood victims. One elderly resident of Welsby Street, devastated when her ground-floor apartment was inundated, received a $500 food voucher from an anonymous local. Others have contributed directly to the local Coordination Committee through the Neighbourhood Centre. While we encourage people to donate to the Premier’s Flood Appeal, we know there are some who want to donate locally. Donations to the Neighbourhood Centre are tax deductible.
State MP Grace Grace, who spent long hours in and around her own New Farm area and at the RNA evacuation centre, said of the community’s input: “It was overwhelming, to be honest.” She praised the work by agencies and volunteers at the showgrounds where the quality of the food, bedding and general care shown to people was “extraordinary”.
Above: Cooking up a storm at the Merthyr Road Uniting Church last Friday were Gary Brockman and Matt Coe, while Atholl Murray and Sophie Manoharan provided the musical relief.
