Media Coverage

It's weird I think that the Queensland floods starting out in Northern "Regional" Queensland saw relatively little media and public interest. The floods in these areas caused just as devastating damage, but the national and for that matter the world had little interest. However as flood waters moved down stream, bolting through "Regional hub" Toowoomba and then inundating Ipswich & Brisbane suddenly the world had a news story.

I understand in part the sudden national and global interest in the flood event which took place in Toowoomba, I mean honestly how often does a flash flood on that scale happen in a western country? But do we, as a nation really value the livelihoods of those living in capital cities that much more than our "regional" neighbours? For me the Queensland portion of the flood event was just as big an event while it was limited to the north as it was when it hit the capital city I live in. I find it interesting that as flood waters receded in Ipswich and Brisbane but hit towns like Condamine for the second time media coverage once again dwindled. And as towns through-out New South Wales and Victoria continue to be swamped by flood waters there is little coverage of these events either.

For many people regardless of whether they're urban, regional or rural, these floods have taken their homes, their possessions and their livelihoods. They feel the same despair regardless of their location. There are towns where telecommunications & electrical infrastructure must be fully rebuilt. Where road infrastructure is decimated. This is an event which will take years to get over and it has crossed no less than 3 states! This is an event which with the brief exception of the Brisbane/Ipswich portion the media have completely underplayed.

The Deaths

I feel tremendous sorrow for those whom have lost loved ones in the flood event, in particular the families whom lost young children. To think that these lives have been lost, in many a case as a result of a simple mistake just makes you sit and think. Could more have been done to prevent this tragedy happening in the first place, or was it an inevitable event which no one could have stopped? Would more dams have been a solution which would have kept these people alive in the real world? Would better drainage have helped to whisk the water safely out to sea before it had a chance to gather in large quantity and barrel down the eastern half of the country? Or as I say, was there simply nothing that could have been done to prevent this loss of life? Is it that sometimes people die, there is seemingly no sense or reason to it and unfortunately no one to blame?

One thing is certainly for sure in my mind however, and that is a day of mourning should be held, this year and soon to pay tribute and celebrate that lives of those whom where killed during this devastating event. Together as a national we stand, and so together as a nation we should pay respect when one of us shall fall.

Community Spirit

In recent years it has been increasingly disillusioning and disheartening to see the corrosion of society. To see the growing death of the friend/neighbour relationship, to see families isolate from one another obsessed with the selfishness of their own meager lives. BUT the floods have, at least for now, changed that. For the time being at least families have united, neighbourhoods have been reborn and community spirit has become nothing short of inspirational. What a shame it has taken so much destruction to bring such good in people about. And as ghastly as it may seem, I can't help but wonder how long it will really last. Will history show that in 6 - 12 months time community spirit has once again returned to the smallest of trickles? Or has this event forever brought a city, a state, a nation together? Only time will tell, and I know I am hoping community spirit continues to grow and thrive; but sadly I fear the worst.

Comments

Lastly I would like to call on anyone whom has been through this flood event or knows someone who has to please comment and share your story. I am interested to hear comments pertaining to your take on the flood events, do you feel media coverage has been fair? Will community spirit thrive as I hope it will? Tell me what you think. And if you would simply like to leave a tribute or condolence message to the families whom have lost loved ones please feel free to do so.