Rural Emergency Medicine

During the Floods of 2011 above UQ Lakes

So I have been isolated from the internet world for the last week or so as a result of the Floods, but I'm back in action today.

It's been a bit over two weeks since the floods peaked and the residents of inner Brisbane were hurled into one of the worst natural disasters in the region for the last 30 years.

 Erik K Veland on Flickr


I fortunately, like many others live on a hill so was spared the brunt of the devastation.


I rode around inspecting the early damage to my neighbourhood and surroundings. Some of the favourite watering holes for uni students could not even escape the vast amount of water creeping up the banks of the Brisbane River. This quick ride was in preparation for the big clean up in the coming days.



In the days that followed, the river peak and subsequently receded.. There was an overwhelming sense of community spirit, with everyone coming together to help those that lost everything.


There were people from the army, the SES, dominos, bake relief, lions clubs, rotary clubs and many more, all chipping in to help out their fellow Australians. People used both their physical effort, mental ingenuity and emotional support to achieve great things in the flood aftermath.


Beth Wode Photography on Flickr

Things have may gotten brighter and the things that were accomplished in those first couple of days were astonishing. However, there is still a long way to go. There are people without power, accommodation, jobs and much more whom for the fight has only begun. 

Fish Fidler on Flickr

You can still help these people out by either contributing your time or donating to one of charitable organisations (Red Cross, Lifeline, etc) that provide valuable assistance to individuals and families in need.


“There's no disaster that can't become a blessing, and no blessing that can't become a disaster” Richard Bach


Finally while there can be no doubt the floods were devastating, as news report have been highlighting all over the world the Australian spirit has once again shown it's true colours. It seems that only in this great land that man (and woman) came so eagerly to aid their fellow man. I only hope this spirit of selfless giving is maintained well into the future.

Happy Delayed Australia Day.

Stayed tuned for Monday when I take a look at some of the diseases that are likely to increase in incidience as a result of these floods.

All photos edited by Aaron Sparshott. Original photographers are listed underneath their photograph. Photographs without authors listed below are taken by Aaron Sparshott. For more photographs of the Brisbane Floods go to www.brisbanefloods.info

No comments:

Post a Comment