General News
15 February, 2024
Community spirit shines through post-storm
Leaving behind substantial destruction in its wake, the storm this week hammered through tree trunks and brought apart roofs but it couldn’t knock down one important thing — the district’s community spirit. As the heavy rain finally petered...
Leaving behind substantial destruction in its wake, the storm this week hammered through tree trunks and brought apart roofs but it couldn’t knock down one important thing — the district’s community spirit.
As the heavy rain finally petered out and weather conditions calmed, residents in Maryborough and neighbouring towns got to work.
In a united undertaking, a significant number of people marched onto the roads immediately after the storm passed to take on the serious job of clearing out debris from the streets.
It was almost like a sentiment shared between them — an attitude of banding together in times of adversity.
One such local is Wareek resident, John Rowland (pictured right), who since Tuesday has spent upwards of five hours on his tractor, moving trees spanning about 40 feet, off the main Maryborough-St Arnaud road.
“That area was blocked off so I just started clearing it up,” he said.
“Other people have been doing the same thing — we know that the council workers can’t do it all on their own so we took the responsibility on.”
If you asked Mr Rowland why he decided to help out, he’d probably think it’s a rhetorical question because in his mind the answer’s obvious.
“It’s your community, you show up,” he said.
“And if I do that, like the others, then everybody gets on.
“People need to come together, especially in these times. Not everybody is fit enough to do certain things but if you’re able, then you should just do it.”