Final Flood Heroes Announced

Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP, has recognised 6 locals for their contribution during this year’s severe weather events.

Community input had already seen the Country Ayr Motel and radio station Sweet-FM acknowledged for going above and beyond and Mr Last said the final six flood heroes were just as deserving.

“While damage to homes and businesses was not as widespread as was originally feared, the severe weather event had a major impact on both locals and visitors to the region,” Mr Last said. “From ensuring the safety of stranded travellers, to providing health care and helping essential staff get to work, the contributions of the flood heroes cannot be overstated.”

“During the event, the queue of semi-trailers waiting to get through stretched for several kilometres along the highway and many more waited in nearby streets.  Both Mandy McKeagg and Betina Wilks were nominated for delivering food to both the drivers themselves and staff and volunteers who supervised the road closures.”

“Dr Sarat Tata was also nominated for providing essential support to the community and visitors.  Our community is well-known for welcoming visitors but what Mandy, Betina and Dr Tata did was well above what anyone could expect.”

Mr Last said that the closure of the Bruce Highway during the weather event not only impacted communities further north when it came to vital supplies, it also affected much-needed services for locals.

“Prior to the rail bus commencing operations, moving essential items and people from one side of the closure to the other posed a major challenge but local knowledge and dedication meant the nearby rail line could be used,” Mr Last said.  “Queensland Rail employee Troy Schonenberg made himself available to emergency services 24 hours a day for several days to ensure essential items and services were available to the community.”

“When the rail bus commenced operations, there was a need to move people from Home Hill itself to the temporary station at Rossiter’s Hill and, again, it was community-minded locals who answered our call.  Jess Wall and Brendan Arthur became familiar faces for Home Hill residents utilising the rail bus, using vehicles supplied by their employer to ferry people to and from the rail bus.”

“What people might not know is that Jess, Icomply’s accommodation manager and Brendan, the company’s Regional Manager, also provided free accommodation for travellers waiting in Home Hill for the road to re-open.  That means incredibly long days going above and beyond to help their community.”

“I know that Icomply’s senior management are incredibly proud of the way in which their local management team responded and when I asked for nominations for flood heroes, Jess and Brendan’s efforts earnt them the community’s praise as well.”

“None of the people who were nominated have sought out thanks or attention; they simply did what they could for the community during our time of need.  The strength and generosity of our community is well illustrated by all the recipients, and our community is a better place because of them.”

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