After the Christmas storms ripped through Tamborine Mountain the recovery effort was a mammoth task requiring many organisations and community volunteers.
In August, members of the Tamborine Mountain Rural Fire Brigade were recognised as Queensland Disaster Resilience Champions by the State Government for their efforts.
Sixteen members were awarded with 2023-24 Queensland Disaster Resilience Champions Pins acknowledging the significant contribution to helping those in need during one of the most challenging summers that Queenslanders have faced.
The awards were presented by MP Meaghan Scanlon at Upper Coomera to Annie Webster, Tony Dewis, Blake McGill, Ethan Ward, Gregory Hobbs, John Heydon, Joshua Pender, Kristi West, Liam Flanagan, Maria de Koning, Mark Doble, Nathalie Gaveau, Paul Gardner, Robert Wilson, Roland Killick, Samantha Simpson, Samuel Webster, Shea Bodak and Thomas Wensor.
First Officer Sam Webster said although the brigade don’t do the work for the recognition it was certainly nice to be recognised.
“We are here for the community and that’s what motivates the team,” he explained.
“The team worked for two weeks from Christmas night as the storm left the first request came in. Many of the team had damage to their own properties but being the good people they are they wanted to help the community first.
“The main thing we dealt with was getting roads back open to ensure emergency services could get up and down the mountain, particularly ambulance.
“From there we worked heavily in the Eagle Heights area to open other streets and access to people’s properties. We focused on those not able to clear their own properties vulnerable people who needed help.”
He said it was a significant job and one they could not have prepared for.
“We had an enormous amount of support from other rural fire brigades. It was a big team effort,” Sam said.
They are calling for more locals to join the brigade, especially as fire season approached.
Training nights occur at 7pm every Tuesday when anyone interested in learning about volunteering can come and have a look around and ask questions.
