By Abbey Cannan
The Rotary Club of Noosa Heads has opened an appeal for donations to help those impacted by the recent floods in the Fraser Coast region.
One of the most devastating floods in recent years forced residents to leave everything and flee to safety.
Town- folk rallied to their aid, calmed their nerves, and helped with children, as the full impact of what was happening took hold.
Rotary Club of Noosa Heads president Geoff Bone said it’s time to act now.
“As if it wasn’t enough to be confronted with the impact of Covid-19, now another problem confronts dozens of families, our neighbours just a few kilometers to our north,” Mr Bone said.
“How would you feel if this was you? Yes, the Government will help many in need, but apart from an emergency handout, what about insurance?
“Who’s going to provide the beds, the tables, the chairs, food to fill the fridge, or more importantly, replace the fridge, washing machine and other essentials?”
Personally having been through a major disaster where his home was destroyed, Rotary Club Noosa Heads member Bob Birkhead knows all too well the long road to recovery.
“It took us the best part of 18 months to get back on our feet,” he said.
“The reality is, most of the people going through this will find the same thing.
“The community will play a significant role in enabling people to get their lives back after this disaster.”
Rotary Club of Maryborough-Sunrise president Adrian Pitman said it’s events such as these that the real value of community service clubs such as Rotary becomes evident.
“While a lot of our effort annually is spent raising funds to equip and prepare us to deliver our services, actually helping and supporting those who are negatively impacted by such events is what really makes our service organisations valuable to the community,” Mr Pitman said.
“I must also recognise the support we received from individuals, local Maryborough businesses and other Rotary clubs in the region who provided support without asking.
“Of particular note is the intention of the Rotary Club of Noosa Heads to run an appeal for flood victims. Such consideration is typical of our Rotary community.”
Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien said while the Australian and Queensland Governments have a range of disaster relief payments available to assist people impacted by the floods, additional support raised through community service organisations like Rotary is always welcome.
“Ex-tropical cyclone Seth hit parts of Wide Bay hard. I commend the combined efforts of the volunteers at Noosa Rotary Club and Maryborough Sunrise Rotary Club who are extending a helping hand to help people recover. Their generosity demonstrates the strong spirit, resilience and neighbourly care shared between Wide Bay communities,” Mr O’Brien said.
Donate now to ‘Rotary Club of Noosa Heads’ Bendigo Bank: BSB: 633-000, Account: 135 570 869, Reference: FLOOD APPEAL. Please check the details carefully.
Every dollar donated goes directly to the beneficiaries, no administration charges, no fees, and no deductions.
