PREMIER AND LORD MAYOR HOST RECEPTION FOR STORM HEROES

Premier Anna Bligh and the Lord Mayor of Brisbane Campbell Newman will co-host a special reception for Queensland’s severe storm heroes tonight at Brisbane City Hall.

“This is our chance to officially say thank you for the heroic efforts of everyone who worked so hard to get us through these storms,” said the Premier.

“These are the people who restored power to our homes, put tarps on roofs and restored order to our streets in the aftermath of the recent severe storms.”

Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said the people behind the relief effort had been amazing.

“I want to recognise the tireless effort of the thousands on the ground, and their commitment to pull residents through, and get them back on track,” Cr Newman said.

A young family from the Gap, which was badly hit by the November storms, will thank the 1200 heroes from the Australian Defence Force Personnel, Energex, Telstra, Powerlink, Ergon and Optus, Brisbane City Council, State Government Agencies, Local Councils, Charitable Groups and of course State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers.

“I am sure that they will speak for all of us when they say thank you to these men and women - we would not have got through it without them,” said the Premier.

The Premier said that approximately 4000 volunteers/workers helped with the clean up effort and subsequent recovery.

“Each of the agencies involved nominated members of their team to attend the special function tonight,” she said.

Severe thunderstorms hit South East Queensland in November causing damage to homes and property, affecting power supply and other services such as roads and schools.

SES workers came from far and wide including areas such as Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Warwick, Gatton and Toowoomba to support their city based colleagues and assist with the massive clean up effort.

Some workers also travelled from elsewhere in Queensland and other Australian States.

“The Queensland Government and residents of South East Queensland owe a great deal to the efforts of these extraordinary individuals,” said Premier Bligh.

18 December 2008

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