Christmas food hampers hit home for volunteer, one year on from Far North flood

Christmas cheer will be spread even further across Cairns this festive season with around 120 volunteers helping pack a bumper 800 food hampers for those in need over the holidays.

Rotary Club of Cairns Sunrise president Peter Sexton, Cairns Regional Council's Kahlia Pepper and fellow Rotarian Col Lawson at Fred Moule Pavilion in Cairns on Tuesday.

Cairns Sunrise Rotarian Peter Sexton knows that many Far North Queenslanders will be doing it tough this Christmas.

Almost a year on from the Far North flood, the club president’s eyes well thinking about the devastating natural disaster that forced thousands of residents from their homes, leaving a damage of more than $1bn.

Mayor's Christmas Charity volunteers Kate Brunger, Anna Spear, Nova Spear and Katrina Trevithick at the Fred Moule Pavilion on Tuesday morning.

This year the community group group, in partnership with 120 volunteers and more than a dozen businesses, have packed 800 food hampers – up from 650 last year – anticipating that many families will need their support this festive season.

“A lot of people are experiencing difficulty at the moment,” Mr Sexton said at Fred Moule Pavilion on Tuesday morning.

“Those of us who are more fortunate don’t always appreciate what the rest of the community is going through.”

The Barron River in Cairns, Far North Queensland, reached a record flood peak, with roads closed and homes flooded in the catchment area on Sunday, December 17. The record flooding was caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper, which made landfall on December 13. Picture: Brendan Radke

Last year, Mr Sexton and other volunteers gave out presents to children in flood-ravaged communities, including Machans Beach and Holloways Beach.

“It was heartbreaking,” he said.

“There are people still not back in their houses.

“We were at a community centre and this little kid said to me, ‘Santa won’t know where to come for Christmas’.

“The last thing he’d seen was his family’s Christmas tree had fallen over. There had been 600mm of water run through their lounge room and he watched their Christmas presents float out the door.

“He would’ve been seven years old. I’m nearly in tears talking about it now.”

Cairns Regional Council's Alli Lepinath with Division Two councillor Matthew Tickner and Division Seven councillor Anna Middleton at the Fred Moule Pavilion on Tuesday.

Cairns Mayor Amy Eden praised community members for digging deep for those less fortunate.

“This has been one of the most successful fundraising efforts since the charity was established,” Ms Eden said.

“The hampers contain essential items that make a significant difference for families facing hardship or isolation, ensuring they can enjoy a festive meal during what can be a difficult time of the year.”

Bendigo Bank, Ken Frost Homes and Rankin Sawmill donated $20,000 to the Mayor’s Christmas Charity this year.

Around $92,000 was raised for the hampers this season with officers from HMAS Cairns, Brothers Rugby League Club, Underwood Party Hire, the Cairns Show Association, Coles Cairns Central and Tropic Spirit Catering also playing key roles in the food drive.

“If we could bottle the Christmas spirit in this room right now, imagine how great our town would be year round,” Mr Sexton said.

Originally published as Christmas food hampers hit home for volunteer, one year on from Far North flood