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Maleny Rural Fire Volunteers front up for Brisbane cleanup |
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Written by Les Fawkes
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Friday, 28 January 2011 |
The flooding that recently covered a large part of Australia was the most expensive single natural disaster to hit Australia.
Thousands of people in just the south east corner of the state had not only their lives turned upside down but financially ruined.
Nothing good comes out of natural disasters of this magnitude.
Once the waters started to receded volunteers swarmed into the inundated area to assist with cleaning up homes and businesses that were severely damaged by the water.
A number of those volunteers came from Emergency Service groups from the Maleny and surrounding areas and were to be in the disaster area for four days.
In total 7 rural units, Landborough and Coochin Creek along with a Maleny Urban auxiliaries unit manned by Peter Barth and Ross Hopper. The units left Caloundra in Convoy with other Urban support heading to the Enoggera Army camp where the volunteers were billeted.
"It was fortunate that we could all stay together as it meant we could have meals together and work as a team. Just talking to one another was therapeutic in a way." said local volunteer Donna Lewis.
Maleny volunteers joined other volunteer support from NSW and also Melbourne and Sydney Metropolitan Search and Rescue Squads.
Much of the work consisted of hosing out mud from already empty homes. Many of the owners had previously been through the 1974 Brisbane floods. Many of the homes had been completely submerged and the linings and ceilings had to be removed. They then have to be re-wired for electricity so power cannot be re-connected until all safety checks are met. Unfortunately, people cannot return to their homes.
Most people being assisted often would be thinking more of their neighbours than themselves. “ It really showed Australian compassion and friendship towards each other.” said Ms Donna Lewis.
She continued, “We were deployed to hose down streets and business premises. People did not know how their insurance companies would view the circumstances, but most victims were more concerned for other peoples homes.”
Ms Lewis continued to say, "Please give whatever financial assistance you can afford to these unfortunate people as most will find that they will not be covered by insurance because of previous flooding in the area."
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Last Updated ( Friday, 11 February 2011 )
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Range News 2005 - ON 
