Community
20 March, 2024
Heart of Douglas beating strong
'Gazza's Gossip' "The ‘Goss’ has covered numerous stories regarding the recovery from Cyclone Jasper, which ultimately, has been more about water than wind."
Despite Cyclone Jasper’s aftermath, Mossman Support Services managed to continue their work throughout the Christmas holiday period, into the New Year and now, as we approach Easter.
While insurance companies and government departments work out their level of commitment to the cause, the help on offer at Mossman services has been indeed plentiful. This includes a dry, safe refuge for people during the day, charging of their phones and other batteries, getting warm meals, showering and washing clothes and bedding.
There have been food drops for individuals and families adversely affected, plus access to swags, tents and bedding. To assist further, there has been the availability of vouchers for fuel and groceries and financial aid to replace essential items destroyed.
A very important requirement, during this difficult period, has been access to mental health support and engagement to pastoral care.
There has always been a caring ear to those arriving with trauma from wonderful local volunteers, plus the support services has provided water and food for attendees and staff of the essential disaster recovery hub in Mossman.
Much of this crucial help was provided when the majority of other services and council were closed over Christmas.
Overall, the team visited 100 affected homes, passing on resource packs of information, vouchers and support to those severely impacted and without the ability to leave their homes due to injury, age or trauma.
Mossman Support Services reported back to the recovery hub and began registering affected people with well known charity GIVIT, to help assist them in acquiring items lost by the floods, while also identifying immediate essential needs and buying them without delay.
Throughout the immediate crisis their services were available seven days a week, distributing 45 Christmas hampers to residents in the shire, providing emergency relief and food parcels, plus preparing for our 17th annual community Christmas Day lunch held at the Mossman Shire Hall.
A food drop of donated prawns was made on Christmas Eve to those impacted by the flash flooding in Mossman and surrounds.
The organisation’s youth centre staff also provided an early Christmas Day lunch which offered a very much needed time for togetherness and celebration in a familiar setting, opposed to the new challenges they may be facing at home.
Throughout this year, Mossman Support Services have continued to provide community engagement programs, plus collaborate and support other community services, all while planning and providing community events. This has all been a great achievement considering they were also impacted significantly with five of their offices being flooded, destroying their furniture and making their building unsafe and in need of a full removal and rebuild of the interior.
At the time of the initial disaster, the team had already outgrown their current premises. Worst still, is the team of seven is now working temporarily from the community hub, which means the much needed community space is not available.
Some help was at hand at Harrisons Restaurant recently, with its annual ‘Girls Night Out’. Each year $10 is donated from every ticket sold to a local charity and Mossman Support Services were fortunate enough to be the chosen recipients. In addition, on the night, Mossman support staff added to an already full load, approaching numerous generous businesses for donations and running an amazing fundraiser, ‘Not Your Grandma’s Usual Cent Sale’.
After a tough start to the year, the night was filled with goodwill and love, many taking the opportunity to get out from their own soggy homes to enjoy delicious food and great music, plus share their stories.
A total of $4750 was raised, which is a far cry from the $500,000 needed for a new building, but it certainly takes them a little bit closer. We wish them well for the rest of the year.
I’m off to share my thanks and congratulations to an amazing team, so for now it’s Gazza signing out.
Send your stories to gazza@cairnslocalnews.com.au
