“Finding Gratitude During Disaster”
A series of floods hit Australia, beginning in December 2010, primarily in the state of Queensland including its capital city, Brisbane. The floods forced the evacuation of thousands of people from towns and cities. At least 70 towns and over 200,000 people were affected. Damage initially was estimated at around a $1 billion. The estimate of lost revenue from Australia’s GDP is about A$30 billion.
Three-quarters of the state of Queensland was declared a disaster zone. The 2010–2011 floods killed at least 31. As of 14 January, an additional 40 are missing in or around Grantham. The Queensland floods were followed by the 2011 Victorian floods, which saw more than 50 communities in western and central Victoria also grapple with significant flooding.
“I am Denna from Brisbane, Australia. I haven’t been able to get an on Community Call… to share my gratitude (been a bit busy with Brisbane Flood Aftermath) so please allow me the chance to do it this way!
I have a 2-year-old boy & a 16-month-old girl and only recently joined the wonderful community of LPU in Oct 2010. At the moment I consider myself a Full-time Mum, and Part-time Entrepreneur!
Since my husband just lost his bed business in the Brisbane Flood recently I will need to step up and help us get through this testing time. As a survivor of the Brisbane, QLD Floods (home and Husband’s Business) I wish to sincerely hug all you at LPU”
- I AM GRATEFUL FOR MY HUSBAND & MY KIDS… YOU GIVE ME THE STRENGTH TO FIGHT AND NOT FLIGHT!
- I AM GRATEFUL FOR MY MUM WHO WAS WITH ME AND KEPT ME CALM WHEN I LEARNED MY FAMILY WERE IN BRISBANE AND WERE IN DANGER, WHEN I WAS NOT!
- I AM GRATEFUL FOR MY FATHER, WHO HAD SWAPPED ROLES WITH ME FOR A WEEK PRIOR TO THE FLOODS, TO LOOK AFTER MY CHILDREN, WHEN I COULD NOT!
- I AM GRATEFUL FOR VIRGIN BLUE AIRLINES, WHO GOT ME BACK TO BRISBANE FROM ADELAIDE BEFORE PEAK TIDE, SO I COULD BE WITH MY FAMILY.
- I AM GRATEFUL NO ONE I KNOW WAS HURT, OR LOST THEIR LIFE IN THE FLOOD.
- I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE STRANGERS WHO HAVE HELPED MY HUSBAND, AS WE LOST HIS BUSINESS, WHICH WAS A BED BUSINESS IN THE SUBURB OF WEST END.
- I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT OUR HOUSE IN NEW FARM HAD DAMAGE, BUT NOTHING COMPARED TO MANY OTHERS IN THE STATE.
- I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT THE FLOOD LITERALLY CAME CMS FROM ENTERING THE INSIDE OF THE HOUSE.
- I AM GRATEFUL FOR STARTING A PORTABLE BUSINESS – AND LOOK FORWARD TO MAKING MONEY… IT’S EARLY DAYS YET… BUT I HAVE THE END IN MIND.
- I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT THE LPU COMMUNITY IS MATCHING DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR DONATED… AND SO MANY WANT TO GIVE US QUEENSLANDERS… I AM PROUD TO BE APART OF SUCH A COMMUNITY, AND I WILL KEEP YOU ALL UPDATED WITH HOW WE, AS A CITY REBUILD.
The rains have stopped and the flood survivors have begun piecing their lives back together. Myself and the LifePath Community continues to donate to the QLD Flood Relief. We now flirt with $5000 donated! As donations continue to come in, we will increase our efforts to help people rebuild their dreams.
Thank you to all that have contributed so far.
Joe Neid




