Wujal Wujal residents hunt for pieces to upgrade their wardrobe post-Tropical Cyclone Jasper thanks to an innovative project led by charity Thread Together. Photo: Supplied.
When Wujal Wujal residents watched their homes go underwater and had to evacuate their community 10 months ago, replacing lost clothing was not number one on their priority list.
After the disastrous flood event caused by Tropical Cyclone Jasper in December 2023, residents are getting back a sense of normalcy after a community wardrobe mission by clothing charity Thread Together.
Based on the uncomfortable truth of clothing being sent from factories to landfills every year while many people do not have adequate access to essential clothing, Thread Together diverts excess fashion to communities in need.
“We would’ve had more than 200 people through over the two to three hours that we were servicing and providing the brand new clothing,” Thread Together operations manager Ross Mitchell said.
“I think the main feedback we received was that this was the first time many residents have had the opportunity to choose brand new clothing since they returned to community.
“It was the dignity of choice, and that dignity of brand new clothing; they were very surprised to see that there were still tags on them, and the variety that they were able to choose from.”
Roughly 4,000-4,500 items of clothing, shoes and accessories were donated to Wujal Wujal for the event held outside the local church.
Thread Together visited the south-eastern Cape York community as part of the RACQ Foundation’s 25th community assistance project.
“For us, we have had the opportunity to set a partnership with key agencies that are supporting the community, and through them, we can provide the clothing in the future if needed, and they can distribute it on our behalf,” Mr Mitchell said.
“We’re aware that Queensland is the state most affected by natural disasters, so this has given us an opportunity to focus a proactive response to those rural and remote communities.”
