Bowen PCYC offers sanctuary to flood-stranded tourists stuck in Whitsundays
Travellers trapped by floods have expressed their gratitude to a seaside town that welcomed them with open arms, with a sergeant saying ‘it’s an unwritten rule that we all stand together’.
Whitsunday
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Travellers stranded by rain smashing Queensland have thanked a small town that welcomed them with open arms.
School teacher Paul Burckhardt, his husband Aaron and their Irish Wolfhound Willow were relocating to Townsville when the flooding hit.
They were among about 60 other people, with about 18 pets in tow, who ended up “refugees” at the Bowen PCYC on January 15, 2023.
“The moment we got here we were welcomed (and) supplied with coffees, Milos,” Mr Burckhardt said.
“This place has been amazing.
“There’s a lot of people returning home, passing through or heading south to Airlie Beach.
“Someone put up a Facebook post and everyone just came here in hordes with vans and trucks dropping stuff off for us, someone donated pizza.
“I’ve fallen in love with the community spirit this place has.
“I would definitely come back.”
Originally from the Gold Coast, Mr Burckhardt said he “had no idea” about North Queensland’s tropical rains.
“Monsoon season, get used to it they say,” he said with a laugh.
It was not Mr Burckhardt’s first experience with a natural disaster through, as he was teaching in Japan when the Great Tohoku Earthquake struck in 2011.
“One of my student’ family owned a restaurant (and I) was behind the canteen,” he said.
“Feeding people (whose) homes had been destroyed.
“It’s that karma, paying it forward ... it’s now returned to me.”
Sergeant Michelle O’Regan has been manager of Bowen’s PCYC for 11 years and says, in her hometown, “it’s an unwritten rule that we all stand together”.
She said there were about 100 people left stranded by the next night on Monday, January 16.
Whitsunday Regional Council designated the PCYC as a respite centre at 6pm Sunday and Sergeant O’Regan said she was soon “inundated” with support.
“Local ladies have turned up with baskets and baskets of food,” Sergeant O’Regan said.
“The local Pizza Hut came in with a whole bunch of pizzas and garlic bread, including gluten free and vegetarian without even being asked.
“We’ve got people ringing up offering accommodation, offering to wash things.
“A young autistic boy donated his Ghostbusters doona as well.
“We have one of the most wonderful giving communities.”
Having managed Bowen PCYC since the current “fantastic” facility was built, she said there were lots of showers, toilets, and kitchen/canteen space.
For one tourist who was 35 weeks pregnant, stranded with her family and two dogs, a mattress was gifted so she could sleep more comfortably.
Sergeant O’Regan said she was thankful for all the support, but apologised for all the messages and calls she hasn’t had time to respond to.
She urged travellers and locals alike to “stay in a safe place unless absolutely necessary” and keep updated with regional Disaster Dashboards.
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Originally published as Bowen PCYC offers sanctuary to flood-stranded tourists stuck in Whitsundays
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