THE QUEENSLAND FLOODS

[Kym]

And me! Worry about me! Nah, don't worry about me, we live on a hill. Flood? What flood? Can't see one from here.

Rockhampton thought we had it bad with our flood, but at least it wasn't a killer torrent like Toowoomba! We also have food shortages, bread, milk, meat, fruit and veg, and we (my family) are surviving on freshly squeezed eggs (you've gotta squeeze the right way or their eyeballs pop out instead) and pumpkins straight off the vine. It'll do us good to use up the stuff in the freezer and discover what surprises lurk at the back of the pantry shelves.

We have our own water supply (seven rain tanks and a dam), a bread maker, and a generator if the power goes off. People in the cities are so used to being supplied with everything, they just don't know what to do when someone flicks the switch off or their loo overflows or the shops get empty shelves. There was a bit of panic buying here at one stage, and I had to laugh at one drop-kick looking teenager looking frantic and pushing a trolley full of coke and chips! No thanks, they can keep that concrete jungle, I'm staying out in the bush!

See ya',

Kym.

[Neville Briggs]

What about the horsies Kym?

[Kym]

Our horses live in luxury Neville. IRene has seen my stables. There are three stalls up the right side, three stalls up the left and in between is a long breezeway so they can stand under the roof if they wanna stay dry or go out in the rain if they wanna get wet. They're very spoilt.

[Maureen K Clifford]

Hi all - thanks for kind thoughts and concern. Spoke to Leonie again this morning and she is safe as am I. Very scary times and our lovely town is a bloody horrible mess but everyone is pitching in and helping as we Australians do - and we will be fine.

Leonie has no power but has been able to get out and get some supplies - she didn't quite need her boat just a pair of wellington boots. I was high and dry at Eastern Heights up near the water tower with the girls. Got them out as soon as the water reached a predetermined mark on the road. We are all stressed but we are all ok. Just in my street 7 houses completely underwater and have been over hosing and doing what we can this morning In my little area of about 12 streets approx 30 houses badly flood damaged with water through them. I have got power, across the road hasn't.

Neither Leonies home or mine have been flooded although had it gone as high as predicted they both would have been - we were extremely lucky, and we are both extremely thankful.

And as an aside our Mayor Paul Pisasale is a true man among men - he has been outstanding here on keeping up morale and getting down and dirty with his community - we are truly blessed to have him. A lovely lovely man,
and the SES, Firies, and all volunteers, and Community workers and essential service people have b een outstanding. At times like this you realize it is great to be a Queenslander.

Scary thing is it was not quite as bad as the 74 floods - I was here then too and I am not even a water sign...in the 74 floods though we did not have the Wivenhoe Dam....the Wivenhoe Dam was built as a flood mitigation dam....bit hard for it to do that when it has been at over full for some months. Something the Government needs to look at in the future - need to make up their minds as to whether it is a dam for drought and general water consumption or for flood mitigation and if it is flood mitigation then IMO it should never ever be carrying any more than 50% capacity. We heard that it's capacity had reached 174% and as a result they then had to let out heaps more water than planned and this of course has impacted everywhere....but we learn from these experiences and I am sure it will all be taken on board.

So once again thanks for your thoughts and hopefully prayers - they worked. And do hope all our members across this land are safe - terrible times everywhere at the moment . and if going to Tamworth - floaties might be a good fashion statement. Yellow and orange is always bright and cheerful

Cheers

Maureen

[Dave Smith]

Kym can you land a sea plane at your place, some time back I have a shot at Warooa (Marty) about needing a sea plane to get to Cook Town, We are due to visit Queensland In late March perhaps I should start looking for one now. Does anyone know how much they cost? I could load it up with vegies before we leave hey.

TTFN

[Dave Smith]

Maureen good to hear from you, we was a bit worried.

Dave.S.

[Heather]

Good to hear you are ok Maureen, you've been in my thoughts.

A group of ladies called The Flameingoes (most lost their homes in the Black Saturday bushfires) have been discussing how to help and we will probably send up some of our cook books when the time is appropriate -as well as proceeds from the sales. The ladies are keen to give back after being given so much assistance when they needed it.

Having dealt with the recovery effort for the bushfires, I think the recovery process will be very similar for the floods. I'd just like to make a little suggestion if I may. Don't donate goods. If you have friends who are affected, or know people who know people affected - gift cards or cash is the way to go. It empowers the people to take charge of what they need in their own time. If they are staying with friends or relatives they can then contribute to groceries etc or they can buy the clothes, cleaining goods, tools etc they want. There was so much crap donated in the way of clothes and other goods after the bushfires and people were given enough toothbrushes to last a lifetime. Now is not the time to clean out the pantry or wardrobe of things you don't want because they are of inferior quality or out of date - it was the most demeaning and insulting thing I saw done after the bushfires.

Our group "The Flameingoes" would also recommend that if you want to donate cash - donate to the Salvation Army. They did SO much good after the fires - and still are.

Heather

[Maureen K Clifford]

Thanks everyone your good wishes and thoughts, they mean so much and Heathers advice is good. We don't have the means to get donated goods anywhere 75% of our state is flooded and when you think the UK fits 8 times into Qld that gives you an idea of the magnitude. By donating cash and every cent counts - we can purchase from our own shops in our own area and that in turn helps get them back into business which is a important morale boost on its own. My neighbour across the road came from Brassall area where Leonie lives to Basin Pocket - usually a 20 minute trip - took him 3 hours. As I was having so much fun playing in the mud and water (Mum would never let me do that as a kid) I started cleaning up his place without him .


A lot of rubberneckers on the road had caused the delays. Stay home if you aren't doing anything constructive...please get that message across to friends or families for us...we are trying to clean up our state and are already stressed to the eyeballs - even 10 minutes stuck in traffic is extra stress. We don't need it.
Our brand new Freeway where we officially opened the new Goodna stretch a few months back - is looking very dodgy. Don't know how long that will be before it is cleaned up and drivable. Our Brisbane CBD is like a ghost town

On the plus side I now have an upstairs laundry and should I desire to do so can mow my carpets and whipper snip my cobwebs. It was also a good opportunity to wash all floors as everything was up...I am ashamed of how much dirt came off then - but then I have had 2 dogs running in and out with wet paws for weeks and wiping their feet is not a top priority with them..... obviously more lessons required.

Sadly we have helicopters constantly flying up and down the river looking for bodies 12 are still missing but we are not far from The Amberley Air Base here and no doubt they are also ferrying supplies to those who need them.

Looking on the bright side - in a few months when we have regrouped, recouped, and somewhat recovered. Our city will be green and beautiful, our spirit undaunted and if you are visiting our State and heading up North - drop into Ipswich - you won't be disappointed. It is a lovely town, with lovely people and hey we need your tourist dollars and the billy is always on at my place.

Cheers

Maureen

[william williams]

Having been through the fires at the Dandenong ranges and at MT Cole in the Grampians. Floods at Wilcannia on the Darling and up in the Roper river
I commiserate with you people but what I have found is that Australians are a resilient
race fiercely independent but needing a firm hand to help them when needed and a shoulder to cry on when it is needed

so I speak I believe on behalf of the members of the forum and ABPA when the time is right let us know what we can do to help

Bill Williams

[Jasper Brush]

Good Onya, Maureen.

It is great to see you and the others are safe and sound.

What a wonderful, compassionate, instict we Australians have for each other and our animals.

I was touched when the Brisbane RSPA needed foster homes for animals in their animal shelter which was going to go under water.

Every animal was fostered out within forty minutes,

Wasn't that great.

I must not forget those poor souls who are affected by the flood. Some have lost everything.

Pam and I gave a donation at the NAB yesterday. We have to help one another in these terrible times.

John