November 7, 2012
A “Get Ready Cherbourg” day will be held on Friday (November 9) at Jack O’Chin Oval to allow residents to swap stories about last year’s floods and suggest ways that disasters can be handled in future.
The day will will involve fun emergency management activities and free rides for children followed by a community concert in the evening.
The event is a response to the flooding that occurred in Cherbourg in January 2011 to show how the town has banded together to prepare for any future natural disaster.
School children will visit the oval at 9:30am and take part in activities with Volunteers Queensland, Emergency Management Queensland, the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service and the Queensland Ambulance Service.
The Disaster Education program will be conducted by interactive methods, including playing a Disaster Game to develop and reinforce key messages such as preparedness and what is in an emergency kit.
The Ration Shed Museum will display people’s flood photos and stories.
Information will be gleaned on how to do things better next time and will be used by Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council to improve its disaster management systems.
People will also be able to register for first aid classes that will be offered to Cherbourg residents in the future.
There will also be the opportunity for people to identify items that will assist them in preparing their individual household emergency kits.
The day will close with free rides and a concert between 4:00pm and 7:00pm.
An education campaign will be devised and aired through the Us Mob radio station and other media in following months.
Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor Ken Bone said the Get Ready Cherbourg event and its following strategies were being funded by a grant from the Queensland Department of Local Government.
“The funds are being used to bring the community together to reflect on the flooding events as well as build the capacity and resilience of Cherbourg residents to cope with future natural disasters,” Cr Bone said.
“We also want to acknowledge the support provided by the surrounding towns as well as police, emergency and rescue services and thank them for the support they gave us during what was a difficult time for all the people of Cherbourg.”
“It was greatly appreciated.”
[Photo: Marcus Priaulx]
