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Cyclone Debbie: You can’t keep us North Queenslanders down

Cyclone Debbie did her best. But she would have underestimated a strength and spirit that only gets stronger when North Queenslanders are kicked down, writes PJ Madam.

Evacuated local Bob Morton takes a quick dash outside to check the area and look at the weather. Of course. (Pic: Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian)
Evacuated local Bob Morton takes a quick dash outside to check the area and look at the weather. Of course. (Pic: Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian)

Being born and bred in North Queensland means I wear an unusual badge of honour. And no, I’m not referring to our unique way with words.

Sure, we are the ones who say “togs” to describe swimmers, “caaastle” not “castle”, and “pewel” to be the thing you swim in.

We are also fluent in other phrases.

“She’ll be right”, “good as gold”, and “don’t you worry about that” (for better or worse, a throwback to Sir Joh’s days). These roll off the tongue as easily as a XXXX rolls down it.

And it’s this laid-back attitude and sense of humour we are witnessing over and over since Cyclone Debbie came to town.

Yes, the damage has been absolutely devastating and we pray hard there were minimal injuries and God-forbid any deaths. We know the clean-up will be heartbreaking and arduous with a horrendous damage bill to match.

But if you watched any of the coverage, a broken spirit was hard to find in their darkest hour.

Forget hysteria or drama. Because North Queenslanders are experts in telling it like it is.

Every time a reporter put a camera in someone’s face, we saw a steely and stoic reserve topped with a good (albeit, sometimes inappropriate) sense of humour.

Channel Seven reporter Paul Burt discovered this the hard way when he was told by a pensioner no less, that Cyclone Debbie was committing a sex act live on television.

Bowen resident, Graham Wilson felt compelled to spray-paint his fence with a message to mother nature: CYCLONE DEBBIE BRING IT ON BOWEN IS NOT A PUSSY TOWN DO YOUR BEST YOU GOT.

(Besides wanting to write “sic” after this, I can’t get past the phrase “pussy town”).

But that’s Bowen for you.

Queenslanders weren’t afraid to face the wrath of Cyclone Debbie. (Pic: AAP Image/Sarah Motherwell)
Queenslanders weren’t afraid to face the wrath of Cyclone Debbie. (Pic: AAP Image/Sarah Motherwell)

Take my 74-year-old parents, who have lived in the same house for exactly 50 years. It’s blasphemy to call it a house. It’s a home where they raised four kids, made a huge mess, and shared many wonderful memories. Our home was built before cyclone building codes were introduced and they were reluctant to leave for fear they couldn’t defend it.

“What if the roof blows off?” I said to my dad.

“Well, we’ll just buy a new one,” he said casually.

“And if it floods?” I snapped back.

“Good, then we won’t have to mop the floors for a while!”

These frustrating answers go beyond “dad jokes”. They’re typical responses from a local who’s used to staring down devastating cyclones.

What else can they do but look at a glass half full?

Eventually, they evacuated to my brother’s house (more modern and safe) where they held their own cyclone party.

Debbie did her best and to an extent, succeeded. But she would have underestimated a strength and spirit that only gets stronger when North Queenslanders are kicked down.

My older brother summarised this attitude perfectly in a simple text: “Lost power... still howling a gale... fast running out of beer. You should be here for the party!... lol :)”

Peta Jane (PJ) Madam is a former Sunday Night reporter. She is currently freelancing and has started her own production company.

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/rendezview/cyclone-debbie-you-cant-keep-us-north-queenslanders-down/news-story/8c31b43ffff6e8d1872782774e938815