‘My body shuts down’: Stranded Cape Tribulation resident calls for better health services in disaster-stricken community

A coward punch victim stranded in a remote Far North community following ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper says the town has received inadequate health services since the natural disaster.

Cape Tribulation resident Rastah Rusch has not left town since ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper crossed the coast in mid-December. Without a four-wheel-drive, Mr Rusch says he has no way to leave the community.

A coward punch victim stranded in a remote Far North community following ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper says the town has received inadequate health services since the natural disaster struck the region.

But Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS) has claimed community “pop-up hubs” in the town are organised by the Department of Communities with service providers only invited to attend.

Rastah Rusch, who has undergone multiple brain operations since being attacked in 2017, has been unable to leave Cape Tribulation for almost two months, despite needing regular medical care.

The former actor, who is on a pension, receives medication for multiple health conditions via mail which has been delivered irregularly as a result of major landslides on Cape Tribulation Rd in December.

Rastah Rusch as Frankenfurter in The Rocky Horror Show at the Playpen Night club in 2000. Picture: Stewart Mclean.

“I’ve had a brain tumour removed following an act of violence,” Mr Rusch said.

“It failed and created a cerebro-spinal fluid leak. They did a patch up job. I then had a full open craniotomy last year, followed by six weeks of radiation.

“As a result, they removed my pituitary gland. I have no pituitary function whatsoever, so I have to artificially replace all my hormones.

“That means I have to take steroids every day, otherwise my body shuts down and I will die.”

Nestled in the heart of ancient rainforest, Cape Tribulation is a popular Far North Queensland tourism destination with the industry considered the "lifeblood" of the region's economy.

Mr Rusch said he was lucky he had stockpiled a small amount of medication prior to the cyclone and floods to keep him alive over the last seven weeks.

“I can’t get out to see my doctors,” he said.

“I’ve learned to self-manage my health to a certain extent and keep on top of my medication but it is potentially dangerous.”

Rastah Rusch, playing the Handsome Prince in the JCU Theatre production of 'Beauty and the Beast' alongside fellow cast member, Victoria Carless. Pic. Stewart McLean

While the road is now open to four-wheel-drives for several hours each day, Mr Rusch said he still cannot leave because his hatchback cannot clear Noah Range currently.

“It’s absurd to claim the road’s open (intermittently),” he said.

“It’s not for me. This is why we’re getting frustrated. I haven’t seen my friends or family in over 40 days. That was Christmas and New Year’s Eve alone and it’s my birthday this week.

“It’s enough to tip you over the edge. I feel like I’m about to go into a ballistic rage sometimes but I know that’s not going to do any good.”

CHHHS’ Acting Executive Director for Rural and Remote Services, Linda Bailey, said a team of clinicians has participated in the community’s recovery hubs over the last two months.

“These hubs, attended by a team of our clinicians, were managed by the Department of Communities,” Ms Bailey said.

“We attended three hubs in Cape Tribulation since the disaster struck, and had clinical staff transported via helicopter to the disaster-affected zone in the early stages, at least once a week.

“This has included providing general and mental health care in disaster-affected zones, via Community Recovery Pop-Up Hubs, where residents can access general health support including wound management and assistance with scripts; and mental health support and referral options.”

Rastah Rusch during the James Cook University production of ‘Bill’s Bits’ at the Cow Shed. Image: Glenn Campbell

But other residents, who asked not to be named, said outreach services provided were poorly organised with little notice and were hosted in public spaces that lacked privacy.

In addition to a lack of access to health practitioners and erratic mail delivery, Mr Rusch said irregular phone outages and the skyrocketing cost of living were other problems the community is facing.

“Suddenly you can’t get cash out because none of the eftpos machines work,” he said.

“The shops set up accounts and let everyone book up and hope like hell it gets paid.

“Our finances have been crippled. We have to rely on what’s brought in and the shop owners have done a great job. I applaud those guys for staying open.

“But it’s hard when you have to pay $16 for eight sausages.”

Awestruck Cape Tribulation resident Zoe Photellis inspects damage caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper and subsequent floods at Rykers Creek earlier this week. Ms Photellis, who lives nearby, visited the site for the first time on Wednesday, more than seven weeks after the wettest tropical cyclone in Australian history crossed the Queensland coast. The Bureau of Meteorology recorded more than 2,200mm of rain in the week ex-TC Jasper made landfall with residents still cleaning up from the record rain event and subsequent floods.

The community – which unlike others has received no assistance from the Australian Defence Force – felt at times overlooked, fellow resident Zoe Photellis said.

“There are about seven people in town that still have a job,” Ms Photellis said.

“My job is about three hours a day – if that – but at least I’ve got something.

“The thing that’s hard about living up here is that you have to be resilient. But I just feel like people are exploiting our resilience.”

In a statement, Australia Post said it had made every effort to deliver mail to Cape Tribulation throughout the wet season.

“Following Tropical Cyclone Jasper and the recent weather events, Australia Post relied on additional support including helicopters and 4WDs to safely make deliveries,” the spokesperson said.

Another community hub event is being planned for Cape Tribulation next week.

Weekly doctor clinics have also resumed at Cow Bay Primary Health Centre.

Originally published as ‘My body shuts down’: Stranded Cape Tribulation resident calls for better health services in disaster-stricken community