Sunshine Mitre 10 gives $20k help to flooded Gympie clubs

Ten Gympie community groups have been given a helping hand by a popular hardware chain with a local leader.

Community groups impacted by the floods have been given a boost by Sunshine Coast Mitre 10, which has donated $20,000 in materials to assist the recovery.

One Mile Recreation (Cricket), Gympie Soccer Club, Gympie Cats AFL Club, Gympie Pony Club, Gympie Horse & Rodeo Association, Gympie Junior Rugby League, Victory Care Services, Albert Park Bowls Club, Gympie Touch Association, and Gympie Netball Association were the 10 groups to be given the support.

Each group received $2000 accounts.

Sunshine Mitre 10 General Manager Neil Hutchins said the accounts allowed the groups to get the supplies they needed most.

“This flood event has affected so many in the community that as locals we wanted to do something to help,” Mr Hutchins said.

Sunshine Mitre 10’s Melina Nichols, a born and bred Gympie local, said the team wanted to show their support and help in a small way with the clean-up.

“We chose community organisations that so many of our local community, including our staff and their families, use and also those which may not be as likely to be eligible for support elsewhere,” she said.

The devastating damage from flooding at Albert Park Bowls Club.

Gympie Junior Rugby League Secretary Katrina Birchall said the flood had been devastating for the club.

“Our clubhouse has been completely flooded and the grounds have been damaged as well,” Ms Birchall said.

“We were supposed to host trial games on the March 12 but we won’t be able to get the grounds ready in time for that so they have been postponed. We are now working towards having the grounds ready to play on for the start of the season on Saturday 26th March.”

Mrs Birchall said while one would think the grounds would dry out, it just wasn’t enough time to get them in a hygienic and safe state for the kids to play on.

She said volunteers and Gympie Regional Council staff were already working to clear the grounds, while volunteers also cleared mud from the clubhouse.

Sunshine Mitre 10's Steve Miatt (left) and Dean Chandler (right) helping Gympie Cats AFL members collect cleaning gear for recovery.

“The clubhouse will need a great deal of work and while we are insured that will take time so the supplies, we will be able to get from Sunshine Mitre 10 will help us get set up so we can host kids at the ground sooner while the clubhouse is rebuilt,” she said.

“It (the donation) means so much.

“There are over 380 kids registered to play so far this season and already we are getting calls and messages asking when we can host practices and games again.

“So many of our families have lost their homes, so we are working as hard as we can to get things up and running again as soon as possible.

“It will take a long time for homes to be rebuilt and the effects will go on, so if we can offer the opportunity for kids to come and play with their mates and get away from the devastation that is so important.”

Originally published as Sunshine Mitre 10 gives $20k help to flooded Gympie clubs