AN ancient Catholic order, the Knights of Malta, is among the many organisations at the forefront of the Church’s response to Queensland’s recent spate of natural disasters.
Knights of Malta Queensland members Derek and Chris Pingel have been appointed by the Lockyer Valley Regional Council to help co-ordinate recovery efforts in the flood-devastated region which includes towns such as Grantham, Helidon and Murphy’s Creek.
Other Church organisations such as the St Vincent de Paul Society have also been extremely busy throughout Queensland with donations received exceeding more than $2 million.
However, the society has now sent an urgent call out for more volunteers to help with post-flood clean-ups in Ipswich and the surrounding areas.
Meanwhile, Cairns Catholic Education Services (CES) has announced support including counselling and increased teacher release time, for families in Catholic schools affected by Cyclone Yasi, particularly those in Tully and Silkwood.
Derek Pingel said the Knights of Malta’s commitment to the Lockyer Valley had been repeated elsewhere.
“Indooroopilly/Kenmore relief efforts are another example of the order’s commitment to disaster relief,” he said.
“This commitment is part of the order’s national and worldwide efforts in providing assistance when needed to the poor and sick including those affected by disasters of any kind.
“The order played a particularly important role in the recent Victorian bushfires in Marysville.”
St Vincent de Paul Society’s volunteer program co-ordinator Kristie McKean said Vinnies volunteers have been getting out and about to flood-devastated homes in and around Ipswich but there was still much to do.
“The volunteers have been offering caring assistance to people as they try and return to ‘normality’, however extra helping hands are urgently needed to help carry on the program,” she said.
“Our teams have been getting in and getting their hands dirty, helping clean up over thirty properties to make them liveable again, through painting, washing walls and clearing rubbish.
“(Through donations) we’ve been able to provide new electrical items, such as washing machines and fridges, as well as other material assistance.
“But what we really need now, are willing, able volunteers to go out into the community and really give a hand up.”
Cairns CES director Dr Bill Sultmann said staff and families in Catholic schools affected by Cyclone Yasi would be supported through increased teacher release time, an increased presence by Catholic Education Services support staff and counselling support.
Former CES school development officer Mike Quinn, who worked in the Cairns diocese at the time of Cyclone Larry, requested Brisbane Catholic Education to release him to return to the diocese to assist immediately following Cyclone Yasi, where he has been “on the ground” in the worst affected areas for the past two weeks.
“The task is now to make available immediate, comprehensive and consistent support to staff, students and families across the five Catholic southern deanery schools at Tully, Silkwood, Innisfail and South Johnstone,” he said.
Mr Quinn said of note was how quickly people had moved into a positive approach to the situation.
“However the first stage is all action when people are running on adrenalin and we need to be mindful of fatigue setting in and have support available when it is needed,” he said.
Those wishing to donate items or other resources to the Lockyer Valley recovery effort can contact Derek Pingel on 0408 716 062 or Chris Pingel on 0407 132 700 or the region’s council emergency recovery line on 1300 005 872.
Those wishing to volunteer for the St Vincent de Paul Society in the Ipswich area can visit Vinnies.org.au/floodvolunteers and register.
For information call Naomi Lindeberg (07) 3010 1016.
