Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are among the thousands of Queenslanders who have lost their homes and have seen their families and their communities shattered by the flood disaster.
Unfortunately some people who are struggling and need support are wary of government officials or may be reluctant to seek assistance. We understand the cultural issues and we have made sure there are Indigenous community recovery workers out in flood-stricken communities around the state to be of assistance.
If you know of people in your community who need help, please encourage them to contact the community recovery line on 1800 173 349.
Calling in will help people find out about what financial and personal assistance is available and how to access it.
Now the long process of recovering and rebuilding is underway and that means lending a helping hand to all in need.
Together, we will get through this.
Hon. Desley Boyle
Minister for Local Government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
Queenslanders have shown great endurance, sacrifice and generosity amid the devastation of the floods. I ask people to give extra thought to their friends and neighbours with a disability or elderly neighbours with mobility issues.
Many people with a disability live independently in our communities in normal circumstances. However, the floods have created new challenges.
Damaged buildings, yards, roads and footpaths have impacted on some people's capacity to care for themselves and to get out and about.
I urge everyone to help keep people with a disability, and those who have mobility issues, connected with their communities. It may be as simple as dropping in and saying hello, or offering to drive them to a friend's place or to their local club or shopping centre.
I've personally witnessed acts of rare compassion and kindness during the floods. Now, more than ever, as a community we need to help people on the road to recovery.
Hon. Annastacia Palaszczuk
Minister for Disability Services and Multicultural Affairs
More than 500 sport and recreation clubs across Queensland have suffered damage from the recent devastating floods.
Playing fields, canteens, clubhouses and equipment have been affected in communities where people are struggling to also repair and rebuild their homes and businesses.
We’ve never seen this level of damage to sporting facilities across the state. It’s just heart-breaking; some I’ve seen have been left with nothing.
Sport and recreation clubs provide substantial benefits to suburbs, towns, and entire regions. In many cases they are the glue that binds communities.
I urge all clubs to visit www.communities.qld.gov.au/sportrec to find out what assistance is available to help them get back on their feet.
Hon. Phil Reeves
Minister for Child Safety Minister for Sport
As community connect goes to print, Queensland is recovering from flooding that hit vast areas of the state.
We’ve seen an outstanding volunteering effort from Queenslanders over these past difficult weeks.
It was inspiring to hear stories of people who gave up their time, expertise, equipment and skills to help out others doing it tough.
The recovery isn’t over yet and we’ll still need volunteers to help out affected Queenslanders in the coming weeks, months and years.
Let’s keep up the effort to rebuild our communities and our state and I encourage everyone who can lend a hand to register with Volunteering Queensland.
I want to thank the thousands of volunteers who helped neighbours, friends and complete strangers in their time of need. You have shown what being a Queenslander and true community spirit is all about.
Hon. Karen Struthers
Minister for Community Services and Housing
Minister for Women
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