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Calling all Mates!

Are you planning on attending the Mates helping mates disaster relief benefit lunch on Sunday 13 March?


We need you to secure your seat!  Give Lizottes a call on 99849933 so they can secure your table.  Many people have said they will attend but our number of secured seats is disappointing.  Without secured numbers the event is at risk of not going ahead.  So please help us make this a reality.  Our mates need us!


Our disaster affected mates need us now, more than ever!  Rebuilding life after disaster is now a reality.  They have no adrenalin to keep them going and with a series of natural disasters around the pacific the focus of assistance has shifted.  Our mates are struggling to move forward.


The Mates event has been proudly put together by our local community and the performers have all donated their time.  Your ticket price $58 includes your main meal and 6 awesome entertainers.  It will be an great afternoon for a great cause.  Help us make it a success.


To book your table call Lizottes on 99849933   

  

Come on Sydney -- We need you!

Have you booked your table for the Mates Helping Mates Disaster Relief event at Lizottes Sydney on the 13th March?

With less than 2 weeks to go -- now is the time!

Go to www.sydney.lizottes.com.au/live

Heaven Knows

Went to Lizotte’s again tonight, god I love this place.

Rick Price was playing. I last saw him at the Rock Lilly many years ago. He was awesome then and he hasn’t lost it.

What a great show and, by the way everyone sang along, they were all fans. He played some originals, eg: ‘Heaven Knows’ and some new songs. I really liked the new ones he performed and purchased his new CD ‘Rick Price revisited’. Rick even signed it for me. I love the fact you can get up close and personal with the entertainers.

I took along two friends who didn’t know Ricks history or songs and they loved the show.

It’s countdown to our Flood Benefit lunch on 13th March, with the talent lined up for the day it will be epic. Get your tickets now guys, there are limited seats. Just ring Lizotte’s on 9984 9933.

Can’t wait.

The Boys are back in town

Our R-Team are back in town and gave our club a briefing on their assistance in Queensland complete with photos. We will have the photos available to you soon.

I have spoken with the family who have had three generations effected by the flood. Mum and Dad lost their home. First son and wife lost theirs. Second son, wife and two small children lost their home. They lost one rental property. Their primary produce business has gone. Everything they owned and worked for, gone.

I was told they applied for the government grant allowed for contents of house and received $170.00 each in total. Can you believe this?

They applied for the government grant for structural damage and were told they did not qualify. $0.00. They have applied for the primary producers grant of $25,000.00 but are not hopeful.

They did receive the governments $1,000.00 grant.

Their insurance company, at this time, have not given an indication of payment but have requested an itemized list of everything lost.

Can you imagine how long it will take to put this together?

The family thanked our R-Team for their help and said although there were others up there to help our team were not hampered by rules. Before our team arrived they just didn't know how or where to start.

Michael from EmbroidMe, Milton has also expressed his appreciation for our R-Teams efforts.

He is still in need of assistance to get his business up and running again. We need to get him a PABX system.

Can you help? Can you donate? Can you attend our Flood Benefit at Lizotte's?

Our job is far from over and so many are in need of our help.

Mates Helping Mates Flood Relief Benefit. Book NOW!

(click to view larger image)

The loss of a four year old child

Don writes:

‘Sitting in the Lowood club hotel where we managed to get a room tonight and tomorrow. Lucky, because most rooms are taken by local families who lost their homes and everything. Pretty depressing. This is the heart of Lockyer Valley.

We drove up to Toowoomba this morning, 2 hours, to find that we weren't need, so after phoning all sorts of places, we were directed too, we went back to the farm we were at Sunday and carried on our work there.

But our drive through this area really has brought home the scale and violence of this event.

It's so big, describing it does not come close to the overwhelming size of what has occurred.

Mark was just at the bar and a woman asked him how he did in the flood. He explained what we were doing and asked her how she did. They lost everything but were luckier than their friends who lost a 4 year old son as well.

It wets the eyes and fills you with grief for these fellow humans. Imagine a whole community dealing with this tragedy.

Well we are back to it tomorrow even though it's Aussie day.’

After reading this email I could not help but cry. If the email affected me in this way can you imagine what affect it had on our ‘R-Team’ listening to this distraught family relay theirs and their neighbor’s story? Dear God!

'R-Team' heads to Toowoomba

7.45am (Qld time) Our 'R-Team' have woken to another perfect Queensland morning. They are about to fire up the BBQ and cook bacon and eggs.

Then they pack up, load and head for Toowoomba, where the devastation started, with no idea what they will find there.

A huge effort at EmbroidMe, Milton

‘Another day at the coal face.’ Don informs me. Our ‘R-Team’ arrived back at EmbroidMe, Milton today.

Geoff and Mark worked on the electrics and by 3pm all was up and running. For the record, that involved every power point and light replaced, complete new power boards built and installed and every wire inspected and replaced and traced to its correct spot on the board. The air conditioner was inspected, some parts were replaced and it is now operating.

Peter and Don scrapped the ceiling and walls of pealing paint. Then cleaned and painted them with two coats. All looks great, they inform me.

The insurance assessors arrived whilst our ‘R-Team’ were working. Hopefully Mike will receive some good news.

The real horror of the flood

The boys arrived in Bellbowrie this morning and were sent out to some jobs, however, things seemed to be in hand, tradesmen had arrived and the horses are now fine so our ‘R-Team’ ended up on a farm at Fernvale, owned by David Strong and three generations of his extended family. Fernvale is inland approx 50km up the Brisbane Valley Highway from Bellbowrie.

When the flood came to their area the Brisbane River rose some 21 meters. Increasing it from a normal 50 meters wide to over 3 kms wide.

The family were lucky to get out with their lives as predictions had them safe. They came close to loosing a sister-in-law when she tried to save the family horse. Sadly the horse was swept away and died.

Forty of their cattle were washed away. They found twenty-one as far as 50km away.

Three of our team have spent the afternoon stripping the farm tools, drying and getting them working. Don has been knocking an inside wall out that was soaked.

Reading this email turned my stomach and sent shivers through me. I can’t begin to imagine the horror of those moments for this family. I’m so glad Don and the boys are there to give them a hand.

Day one at EmbroidMe Milton

The sun is shining and it is a glorious day.

Don and the boys were up at 5am, their host, Michael rose somewhat later, possibly as a result of the boys assisting him in commiserating over several bottles of red.

I scoffed saying ‘that wasn’t very nice.’

In saying so, a thought occurred to me. Maybe that is just what he needed. Jo was feeling he needed a big hug and I suppose this is the male equivalent of that.  At least it would have relieved the stress for a while.

They shared a platter of fresh fruit, brought up from Sydney, then headed off to Milton.

A huge amount had already been cleared in the days after the flood. All cleaning had basically been done. There were a lot of destroyed walks and fittings pulled out. Don and the boys finished the dismantling and cleaned up as far as they could.

Geoff made a start on wiring but can't achieve a lot, as the electrical wholesaler is not open and he needs extra supplies. Frustrating.

Mark, Peter and Don will move to Bellbowrie shortly. They have been asked to help outat an equestrian centre that is a real mess. I have reports Bellbowrie are now seeing some tradesmen to work on the housing.

‘There is not much evidence of the flood, as such, in Milton. A huge clean up has been underway.There's no smell and it's a fine day.’ Don says.'I have to stop and consider the enormity of the job ahead. We’re in a block of 20 or so business that have been virtually wiped out and have to start afresh. Multiply that by thousands and thousands. It's mind-boggling.'

Bellbowrie we hear you!

The Rotary Flood Relief will provide Humanitarian Aid for the worst natural disaster in Australian history! Our community has answered the call.

The people of Bellbowrie and Moggill are calling themselves the forgotten ones. Neville Marsh, who is coordinating the recovery in Bellbowrie said that there are about 90 houses totalled by the flood. "There are only house frames left". Bellbowrie needs Builders, carpenters, any trades to do with building houses. 

A team of volunteers headed by Rotarian Don Rosenfeld are on their way north to Bellbowrie where the community is in great need. Through the generosity of the community including BNI the relief team will be well stocked with donations of buckets, brooms, vacs, tools and loads of electrical materials to begin repairs.

Further teams will be needed in the future, especially in Rural Areas. You do not need to be a Rotarian to join a team. The advantage of traveling with a Rotary Team is that you will be fully covered by Rotary Insurance and you will be working with locals and local Rotary Clubs. It’s a hands on down to earth experience.

If you're interested in joining a Rotary Flood Relief team contact us at brookvalebd@bigpond.com.au

Help us deliver Humanitarian Aid to those in desperate need. Donate now!

Donate securely online

A huge thank you to the members of BNI for your generous donations.  BNI is the largest business networking organisation in the world. BNI offer members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and most importantly, business referrals.  They meet at the Builders Club at Dee Why on Wednesday mornings.

Update from Bellbowie

Speaking to Neville Marsh, who is coordinating the recovery in Bellbowrie, we have been told there are 90 houses totalled by the flood. "There are only house frames left. Some still have a roof," Neville said. "We are in need of Builders, carpenters, any trades to do with building houses. We have one property on acreage we will have to clean out and rebuild. It will be a big job."

If you are one of these trades and can help or have a company that can spare some of your tradesman please let us know. We will coordinate the teams and ensure all avenues are covered.

Rotary Volunteers head to Queensland

A team of volunteers headed by Rotarian Don Rosenfeld will leave shortly with the intention to assist with these two cases. More tradesmen are welcome to join this team.

Further teams will be needed in the future, especially in Rural Areas. You do not need to be a Rotarian to join a team. 

The advantage of traveling with a Rotary Team is you are fully covered by Rotary Insurance and you will be working with locals and local Rotary Clubs.  It’s a hands on down to earth experience.

The Rotary Club of Dee Why Warringah are donating a generator to Michael at EmbroidMe Milton which will be taken up by our team. The generator will be passed on to others in need when he has finished with it.  Our Electrician will be taking up a quantity of electrical equipment.

Bellbowrie – the forgotten ones

The people of Bellbowrie and Moggill are calling themselves the forgotten ones.

Sadly this town is known for the bride lifted by helicopter to attend her wedding, covered by national television.

“We thought the helicopter was bringing food and water, we were stunned” a local said.

A couple in their 80’s who suffered in the 1974 floods lost their home under the water in this flood. They have found a caravan to live in at the moment.

“There are many people worse off than we are” they said when we inquired about assisting them. “Nobody is helping the town. People don’t understand how bad things are here.”

This couple in their 80's are relatives of Northern Beaches residence Ross & Maggie Bell, Cromer