Today marks the second anniversary of the 1 in 100-year weather disaster that proved Far North Queenslanders are some of the strongest people in this nation.
The memories, the tears, the heartbreak, the flood damage, the families left without homes and belongings, the mud, the community halls overflowing with stranded families, these memories will be etched in my mind forever.
Our community will not forget Jasper and the effects.
But one thing that stands out about Jasper is how our community came together.
It was the people of FNQ who stepped up.
We are a community defined not by what we endured, but by how we responded.
I want to acknowledge the extraordinary strength, resilience and unity of the Far North Queensland community. Our SES crews and first responders undertook an astonishing number of rescues — more than 1,000 calls for assistance within just 48 hours.
I want to express my gratitude to the remarkable individuals who risked their own safety at the height of the disaster: Steve Schwartz, Lindsay Marriott, Reece Booij, Lucy Graham, Nicholas Piggin, Andrew Patterson, Natalie Sonenko, Maxwell Folley, Chris Jerrems, Bradley Lillyman, Tyler Vikionkorpi, Kate Morelli, Darren Low and Ricky and Jarrod Maller.
Our “mud army” volunteers, the Holloways Hub crew, Rotary clubs, the GOPIO community, the Yellow Jackets of the Latter-day Saints, the Cairns community Christmas present drive, the Cairns flood appeal team, the beaches community Christmas luncheon volunteers and the Machans Beach Hub all stepped up.
This past year, we have been committed to building back better and to ensure our community is ready.
Twenty two months after Jasper, the Kamerunga Villas residents were finally put back on the main grid after a very challenging two years on generator power. This was one of the most rewarding moments of my year.
During Cyclone Jasper, six community halls become the hubs of the aftermath. Our halls struggled from the damage and it was made clear how vital these halls are to our community especially in the event of a disaster.
I acted. Our Government listened.
Next year the Community Halls in Koah, Kuranda, Stratford, Holloways Beach, Machans Bach and Yorkeys Knob will receive $2 million in upgrades.
For residents like Simone and Darrin who run Stratford Bowls Club, and Leticia, Brett, Michelle and Mary at Machans Beach, these upgrades will be a long-awaited recognition of their tireless advocacy and the vital role these halls play in community life.
Our FNQ SES will also be receiving two new satellite-powered ARNI communication trailers, ensuring remote communities are no longer left in the dark when cyclones, floods, or severe weather strike.
This is what learning, listening and preparing looks like.
Jasper taught us a lot.
He reminded us how strong we are in FNQ. But he also reiterated the importance of being prepared.
Today I honour not just what was lost, but the incredible strength that carried us through and the determination to build a safer, more resilient Far North Queensland.
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