Ipswich Flood Commemorative Service – 11 January 2012

Yesterday I had the honour and privilege of being one of the guest speakers at the Ipswich Flood Commemorative Service together with the Governor of Queensland Ms Penelope Wensley, Premier of Queensland Anna Bligh and the Mayor Paul Pisasale – it was a wonderful yet sobering experience as we remembered the floods of 12 months ago and unveiled a Stone of Courage.

Here is what i said – thank you for all the encouraging comments after the service.

“Distinguished guests ladies and gentlemen – When the Mayor asked me to speak today the memories of 12 months ago came back – sights and sounds i will never forget seem to demand my attention once again – yet for me there was one event i will never forget. It painted a picture of the spirit of this community so vividly it will never leave me!

Twelve months ago yesterday i stood in the pouring rain outside the church and up through the driveway came bus after bus.

Expecting families and young people to alight from those buses to stay at the church, which was to be an evacuation centre – i saw an unexpected and frightening sight.

Wheelchairs, assisted walkers all being used by elderly people from 3 nursing homes

Many in the bedclothes

Disorientated

Dishevelled

Distressed

Very confused

I then realized this was a crisis of huge proportions – far bigger than my capacity or ability.

To be honest chaos reigned as we commenced to find bedding food medication lost articles of clothing for the most vulnerable yet deserving of our community

Reports of widespread flooding were now on the news

However my thoughts were about these people who had to be feed once morning came

Wonderful volunteers arrived to help – word had got out

The night was long

Morning arrived

AND then it happened – the event, which gave me a window into the soul of this community and showcased its tenacious spirit

I, together with many others at the church hadn’t slept that night – we had found some cereals for the elderly residents but not much else.

A ute pulled up and a man got out – “Who’s in charge?” – Everyone pointed to me – if only they knew.

“What do you need mate?”

I said the first thing that came to my head

“We need milk – plenty of it – enough for at least 200 people?” “No worries mate – i’ll be back!”

I remember thinking to my shame – “Perhaps!”

Breakfast now due – elderly people getting restless – a ute pulls up.

Full of milk – “Where’s that bloke in charge – you know the stressed looking one?”

Again everyone pointed to me

“Mate – went to every shop, shopping centre, service station – here’s your milk!”

A ute filled with milk enough for that complete day.

He unloaded the milk and left

I still don’t know his name

No payment

No credit needed

No fanfare

Here was the spirit of this community in action

And it didn’t stop with my friend in the ute

All over the city over the next weeks

Individuals

Families

All nameless – anonymous

All there to help

No need for fame

No need for recognition

An army arose

Hoses, brooms, shovels as their choice of weapon

Generosity as their uniform

Sacrifice as their battle-cry

Selflessness as their only endeavour

Hard work their mantle

With our political leaders leading the way so well

This community worked together

A unity of heart and purpose

We cleaned together

We cried with each other

We supported strangers and friends alike

Race religion background or ethnicity didn’t matter

We were in this together

Compassion flowed

Hearts joined with empathy

Courage reigned

As this community

Cleaned

Hosed

Housed

Cared for

Fed

Let our shoulders be cried upon

We supported

We rebuilt

We agitated when we thought things were too slow

We stood shoulder to shoulder

We showed the world what it meant to be a true community

We said to each other

If you are hurting i hurt

If you are grieving i am grieving

If you need my shirt take it

If you need food it’s yours

If you need rebuilding I’m there

What’s mine is yours

No flood will take away the hope and faith of this community

The better angels of our souls were awakened never to slumber again

I have now seen first hand two floods – 1974 I remember cleaning houses with my dad who was the local member of parliament here and now in 2011 – I never want to see another.

Yet this flood changed me – it changed us all

So when it rains for a little too long and fear seems to grip me

When my compassion quota declines

When my neighbour starts to become a stranger again

When my sense of community wearies me and I tire of leading

I find myself thinking of a bloke and a milk filled ute

AND hope, courage, compassion and faith return

Those better angels of my soul awake once again and shout to me encouragement that stirs my heart to action

AND at that moment I know without doubt that I love this city

This community

AND most of all I love this cities greatest treasure – it’s people!”