“THERE are very few ‘pity parties’…just people getting on with the job as best they can with what they’ve got.”
This is how Gatton resident Derek Pingel summarised the mood amongst Lockyer Valley residents 12 months on from the region’s devastating “inland tsunami” which claimed more than 20 lives as it swept through country towns on January 10 last year.
Memorial services were held on the date throughout the region as dignitaries joined the community to remember those lost and to offer support to those still picking up the pieces.
The services were held in Gatton, Grantham, Postmans Ridge and Murphys Creek.
Further afield too – in Toowoomba and towns as far-flung as Charleville, Roma, Goondiwindi and St George and in the inner Brisbane parish of Corinda-Graceville – those impacted by the most devastating floods were remembered.
Gatton parish priest Fr John Conway described January 10 as “the day Australia came back to the Lockyer Valley”.
He was among 700 people and dignitaries including Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Queensland Premier Anna Bligh and Governor-General Quentin Bryce who attended a commemorative service in Gatton.
Helidon parish priest Fr Mick McClure attended four services in the region, one at Grantham starting 4am and attended by more than 300 people he described as “almost like a vigil”.
Queensland St Vincent de Paul Society president Brian Moore said “despite the society distributing more than $27 million in financial assistance to over 7000 households, we’re still receiving calls from people who are just returning to their homes”.
Mr Pingel who, together with wife Chris was presented with a Community Spirit Medal at the Pride of Australia national awards in Sydney for his role in flood recovery work, spoke of “many positive developments” in the Lockyer Valley since the events of January 10.
“It has certainly been a rollercoaster of emotions, anxiety and hopelessness for some,” he said.
“But in the larger majority, people have seized the opportunity to carve out a new life for themselves and take a faith-filled proactive approach and vision for their future.
“So much has occurred throughout the valley, and the development of the exciting new Grantham estate and park lands which opened late 2011, is nothing short of spectacular.
“This development has given people an opportunity to grab hold of and be part of a new lifestyle, which is somewhat a benchmark for a development in our state.
“Day by day people’s attitudes continue to be a wonderful example to us.
“No matter where you look there is always someone worse off than yourself and our mission is to add value to their lives, encourage them and provide them with whatever we can to make their journey easier.”
Fr Conway said the service in Gatton had been “a day for dignitaries as the Prime Minister, the Governor General and the Premier, had each spoken of their experiences when they had come to see the devastation (last year)”.
“The premier said the Lockyer had become a beacon of light as it set out to pick up the pieces,” he said.
“It was also a day for the people who had lived through the tragedy to speak.
“The victims of Grantham were represented by John Mahon and Cec Pedersen who spoke of the tragedy that had affected their lives and their families.
“In remembering this tragedy, they also spoke of hope for a new beginning, as Grantham and the surrounding districts began to rebuild and find a place to be home for them once again.”
Fr McClure said Grantham’s dawn service, which included the unveiling of a memorial to the 12 people killed in the floods, had been “a simple ceremony”.
The families of those who had lost their lives laid wreaths at the memorial.
The permanent memorial is located just a few hundred metres from the town’s railway bridge, where people, cars and other debris were swept by floodwaters during the disaster.
Among speakers were two of the people from Grantham most involved in co-ordinating the response – Marty Warburton and Julie Johnson.
Officials present included Premier Bligh, Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Emergency Services Neil Roberts and Lockyer Valley regional councillors.
At least 200 people attended each of the later services at Postmans Ridge and at night at Grantham.
About 400 attended the Murphy’s Creek service at 7pm.
Corinda-Graceville priest Fr Gerry Kalinowski marked the anniversary of the Brisbane River January 12 flood peak with a 9.30am Mass in Church of Christ the King, Graceville.
About 335 homes were identified in the parish database as being possibly flood affected.
In his homily, Fr Kalinowski spoke of “appreciating God’s presence in midst of our lives”.
He spoke of people’s struggles “to restore homes and lives”, of parallels with similar stories in scripture and of the parish’s ongoing determination to continue to help flood-affected people get going again.
In the Mass’ Prayers of the Faithful, hope was expressed that the community spirit of generosity, compassion and fervour for supporting one another would continue.
Mr Moore said a year after the flood waters tore through south-east Queensland, and the destructive winds and rain of Cyclone Yasi devastated the far north of the state, the St Vincent de Paul Society continued to offer assistance to people still suffering.
“Areas like Emerald, Goodna, and pockets in Brisbane’s west, are calling through. People still haven’t returned home,” he said.
“The society has distributed over $27 million in relief funds to more than 7464 households across Queensland – an average of $3617.36 per household.
“We acknowledge the generosity of the public for donating $5 million to our own appeal, and the support of the Premier’s Relief Fund for contributing over $22 million to ensure the Society could continue its helping work.”
Donations can be made to the society’s Disaster Relief Fund online at vinnies.org.au
