MORE than 30 families left struggling in Mitchell after the recent devastating floods are being helped back on their feet by nearby St Vincent de Paul Society conferences.
Toowoomba Diocesan Central Council president Kev Byrne said Charleville and Roma’s St Vincent de Paul Society conferences were helping to co-ordinate the distribution of food, bedding and other items to those needing help.
“In Mitchell, things are starting to settle down,” he said.
“But that’s when all the problems often come out.
“At least 30 families are doing it really tough.
“Mitchell hasn’t got a local St Vincent de Paul presence, but the nearby conferences have been looking after those needing support.”
More than three-quarters of homes in Mitchell were flooded in early February when the Maranoa River burst its banks.
Roma was also hit hard almost simultaneously, with hundreds of homes affected.
The clean-up in Mitchell was delayed by uncertainty about the structural safety of the town’s bridge which went under in the flood.
In Roma, the society’s Vincentian Village, which accommodates retired single men, had 15 of its 16 units swamped, forcing occupants out.
They have since returned.
Mr Byrne said many of the flood-affected people in both Mitchell and Roma were reluctant to ask for help.
“They’re country people and don’t like having to do this,” he said.
“In the case of Mitchell, it was the first time in living memory a flood had hit the town.
“We’ve been sending vouchers to the local businesses such as the butcher and supermarket.
“People can then go in and get supplies as needed.
“The suppliers then send the accounts to the St Vincent de Paul Society.
“In this way the money is also kept in the town to help businesses struggling since the floods.”
Mr Byrne said the society had entered stage two of disaster assistance.
“This involves long-term support to get people back on their feet,” he said.
“Most times you find that the Vincentians/volunteers who do this work are people who come from the same town/suburb as those people whose homes have been damaged.
“During the clean-up phase as the floodwaters recede, the society helps provide for any need that the government or insurance does not cover.
“Generally, we would replace furniture, white goods, beds, bedding and small electrical items.
“Once again, our aim is to buy locally to help support and stimulate the local business economy.
“We also help by finding temporary accommodation for people displaced – providing transitional accommodation to move people out of evacuation points.”
Financial donations were the easiest way to help provide assistance, Mr Byrne said.
“Material donations cause us logistical problems as our storage depots reach capacity.
“We ask that you store any items you wish to donate, until a time we put out a message to ask for specific items.”
To send donations go to the website http://www.vinnies.org.au/qldfloodappeal, phone 13 18 12 or send contributions to St Vincent de Paul Society, PO Box 3351 South Brisbane, Qld 4101.
