SPONTANEOUS outpourings of compassion and solidarity were behind Myall Coast efforts to bring relief to northern neighbours devastated by recent floods.
Members of the Galleries in the Gardens joined forces with the Hawks Nest Bridge Club and Palm Lake Resort residents, to activate a local campaign calling for warm clothing, blankets, toiletries and useful items to be sent north into the Manning River region.
A similar effort was simultaneously enacted by community members of North Arm Cove, who also sent donated goods north.
As flood rescue operations gave way to recovery last week, a steady flow of donations started streaming into the Galleries’ garage and the NAC Community Centre.
The problem was transport and where to put it all for those in need to access.
“We became aware of a dire need on and around Mitchell’s Island near Manning Point [so] several wonderful locals volunteered to drive up carloads of goods, as well as a horse trailer and a local delivery truck, by Friday,” said Anne Stuart, President of the Galleries in the Gardens.
“The online organisations only wanted money donations, and several Recovery Centres told us ‘no clothes’, but we know they are going to a place where people who need them will be able to get them.”
Anne, who ran a similar disaster relief campaign after the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami, knew that local generosity would come through.
“The donations would have twice-filled the Galleries’ garage, such has been the amazing generosity of people in this town.”
Hawks Nest Tea Gardens Progress Association Secretary Sherrie O’Keefe said that seeing the aftermath of the floods brought home the reality of just how high the waters were.
“We knew many people had lost everything, and hoped to help with these donated goods, even in some small way.”
The goods were delivered when access to Oxley Island and Mitchells Island became possible, although there were major potholes, tilting windmills, and roads that had become causeways barely keeping properties from further isolation.
Residents were taken aback by the show of support from over an hour’s drive away.
“There are a lot of grateful people up this way,” said Greg and Karen* of Mitchell’s Island.
By Thomas O’KEEFE
