Gold Coast not flooded, but there to support Queensland.
With the Gold Coast escaping unscathed from the flood disaster which has affected much of Queensland, many residents and businesses of the tourism capital are now turning their good luck into much needed support.
More than 120 of the iconic Gold Coast surf lifesavers have been patrolling the water-filled streets of Brisbane providing rescue and recovery services to stranded residents. Incredibly, they are using rescue boats and jet skis which are more commonly seen on the beaches of the Gold Coast to patrol the suburbs of Brisbane, literally cruising up streets and across yards to support people in need.
The many famous Gold Coast hotels and resorts have offered hundreds of rooms to families displaced by the floods. Despite it still being the peak holiday season on the Gold Coast, these generous hotels and resorts are offering some much needed respite to many people still uncertain if they have a home to return to.
Over $1 million in cash donations are expected to be raised in just one event on the Gold Coast this weekend. The ‘Mates in Need Street Party’ has taken just a couple of days to organise but is expected to attract over 5,000 people including plenty of high profile Australian sporting, television, music, fashion and business personalities. What started as a good idea and a Facebook page has turned into one of the Gold Coast’s biggest ever charity events, with the famous Tedder Avenue dining precinct now being officially closed off to traffic to cater for the fund raiser.
An equally generous, though slightly unexpected, demonstration of generosity came from a young Gold Coast entrepreneur earlier this week. Dan Murray donated $37,000 of underwear from his company Sly Underwear to those in need. He sent more than 150,000 units of men’s underwear to those who have been left without any personal goods.
Gold Coast Tourism CEO Martin Winter said the Gold Coast would continue to be a strong support for the Queensland communities affected by the floods.“The Gold Coast has been fortunate, protected by its geography and inexplicable luck to have been unscathed by the Queensland flood disaster, but that doesn’t mean we are unmoved by what has happened,” he said. “The support of Gold Coast residents, businesses and even the many tourists currently here on holiday has been outstanding, and we will continue to help our fellow Queenslanders. I must say, it is extraordinary to look out over Surfers Paradise beach at the moment and see hundreds of tourists doing their thing on holiday when just 90 kilometres north of here Brisbane is flooded, so we are all thankful for our luck and determined to help those who weren’t so.
“And finally, we should make it clear to those people uncertain what to do about their Gold Coast holiday bookings or plans, do not cancel, the Gold Coast is ready to welcome you.”
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