CENTRAL Queensland’s rampaging floodwaters have ensured a frantic and anxious time for Emerald’s residents – and a busy time for parish priest Fr Peter Tonti.
Early last Tuesday morning when The Catholic Leader spoke to Fr Tonti he was organising volunteers at the request of Emerald Shire Council to clean up mud and debris at the Emerald World of Learning childcare centre.
The previous Friday he was pitching in with Centacare staff after waist deep floodwaters shut the office and destroyed files and valuable resources.
On both occasions he spoke of the “fantastic community spirit” of Emerald people as they pitched in to help those whose properties had been inundated.
Emerald’s Marist College principal Ross Jones had a similar story, speaking of staff members helping their less fortunate colleagues clean up homes ruined by floodwaters.
Both the Marist College and St Patrick’s Primary School will reopen tomorrow – a week late – as the school communities struggle to deal with the devastation the floods caused.
Mr Jones, who lives on the town’s east side said he had not been able to get to Mass on Sunday January 27 as the town’s main bridge had not opened until around midday.
He said an ecumenical service had been held at the Emerald Christian College for eastsiders as all churches were on the western side.
Once Marist College’s 400 students return, Mr Jones said they would have the opportunity to talk about their experiences in counselling facilities provided.
Meanwhile prayers and a special collection have been held at the opening Mass of the school year on Wednesday January 23 at St Joseph’s Cathedral, Rockhampton to support those affected by floods in the Emerald and Gemfields areas.
