This is the week that Australia not only Queensland changed, once again our beautiful land has been reminded of Mother Nature’s force, as well as Her Beauty.
We have learnt to look within, draw on our Spirit, reassess our priorities and who we are.
Last Saturday, I sat in my comfortable lounge watching the telethon, like most people in QLD, watching the tally raised steadily increase to a healthy $12million. This money to go to the flood victims of Central QLD in areas like Rockhampton. In Brisbane there was no thought not even the slightiest inclination that we were next in the path.
Although after watching the choreographed execution of the protection, evacuation and the clean up of South East and Central QLD, I have no doubt that there were many people in power working overtime behind the scenes in preparation for what was to come.
Monday I lived in my little creative bubble, happily working away on my latest range and website, only getting grumpy at my Butcher Boy cause he was sooking like the puppies that he couldn’t go outside because of the non-stop rain.
Having not checked in as usual with www.news.com.au as often as I usual do, I was bought to tears in horror during the nightly news watching the inland tsunami hit Toowoomba. This was an hour and a half from me, if I was still in Sydney, that would be Campbelltown where I grew up. I felt numb, watching the floods ravage Rockhampton was devasting, but this was at my door step.
Tuesday morning I ventured into the office as usual, pre-occupied with wondering what I could do to raise money, my thoughts can be found further down, and feeling a bit lonely at 9 o’clock wondering where everyone was, I had a visit from a colleague who usually worked from home, her first words “I think you need to head home, there is a severe storm warning from the west, it will hit Mt Gravatt just after lunch.”
No sooner had she left the office, the Company Owner, fellow Bayside resident and my usual daily office friend was on the phone, our Bubbly Staff Member from Ipswich, had called to say that those on low-lying areas in Ipswich were being evacuated. Her property was fine, however they had spent the night packing and preparing both her parents properties for evacuation.
As I quickly packed up the office and headed home at 10am, the skies began to open up.
For my safety the music and radio stayed off as I battled the onslaught on rain on the roads.
As I walked in my front door, soaking wet, I turned on my TV and shook as the images of the spreading flood and damage came flooding through.
I suddenly felt so insignificant and selfish. Even as I write this, I can’t help but feel pale incomparison to those who have lost all only 15 minutes from me.
Then came the reality, Brisbane is next.
And even though I am safe in Bayside Brisbane, this is going to affect my friends and family here, as well as our economy for days, weeks, months and years to come.
What I have seen unfold this week has gone from disbelief through to admiration.
Premier Anna Bligh has shown not just Queensland but the whole of Australia and the World what QLD’ers are made of.
Her poise, compassion, strength yet vunerability have set her apart as a Leader.
The team of specialists that worked on the prevention, evacuation, recovery and clean up, of 75% of this great state need to be applauded on an International level.
The media has worked tirelessly to ensure what has been reported is timely and accurate. There has been no over dramatisation or scare mongering, those in the flood areas are not being portrayed as Victims but as Survivors.
Anna Bligh delivered a clear message to the world “”this weather may be breaking our hearts, but it will not break our will.”
Social media changed the way the civilised world dealt with disaster.
From the average person in the street to the Departments and Organisations directing the recovery, everybody was on Twitter and Facebook.
When Fairfield RSPCA was threatened by flooding and looking for immediate foster accomodation for their animals, a Tweet went out, within a couple hours, every animal including the sheep and roosters were housed and they were turning away volunteers.
Volunteer efforts for the clean up from Salvation Saturday onwards have been co-ordinated through the web, with frequent status updates from Brisbane City Council and QLD Police Service, controlling and communicating the demand levels for donations, volunteers including machinery.
The effort by the residents in Queensland has been inspiring, by 11am the status update went out that Volunteering QLD had reached the maximum number of volunteers needed for the day.
Online Communities such as Sunny Mummy have been organising fundraising, baking, care packages everything imaginable to support volunteers as well as those affected by the floods.
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So here is how I plan to help:
My skills lie in creating and developing beautiful jewellery pieces.
This pieces are created with the focus of strength, durablity and function in mind.
I create because of love, my perfect days are those where I have exhausted myself from sanding down resin or have blisters on my hands from wire wrapping so many pieces.
My wish is to always create pieces that are affordable and accessible to all of my beautiful customers and potential customers.
From this I want to use my network and your network of friends to raise at least $2,000 to go towards the QLD Premier’s Flood Relief Appeal.
HOW?
I have spent the last three months designing and preparing the latest ‘Sparrow and The Rose’ by Rochelle Stone (speaking of which my ABN is 52105385281) for sale, inclusive of my resin pieces
Ocean Tide Large Resin Cuff
All of these pieces are currently available for Pre-Order through www.sparrowandtherose.com.au with delivery to be rolled out from the middle of February.
I will donate 50% from each sale to the QLD Premier’s Flood Relief Appeal before COB Monday 31st January, with FREE postage when you spend $100 or more.
Here are some quick figures for you:
- If only 20 people spend $30 on Sparrow and the Rose pieces $300 will be donated!
- If 50 people spend $40 on Sparrow and the Rose pieces $1000 will be donated!
- If 50 people spend $90 on Sparrow and the Rose Gift Sets $2250 will be donated!
So if:
- If 200 people spend $40 on Sparrow and the Rose pieces $4000 will be donated!
So please ‘Accessorise for QLD’ and head over to www.sparrowandtherose.com.au now and don’t forget to tell your friends!
Sparrows Nest in Antique Matrix Jasper
Oh and which brings me to the Maroons jersey, last year, I was a diehard Blues supported despite living here for almost 2 years.
Just prior to Christmas as I was reassessing my goals for the future including a family, I realised that Brisbane is truly my home.
This year I will purchase my Maroons jersey and wear it with pride.
xxx Rochelle
