Get Ready Queensland ambassador Johnathan Thurston talks to Wujal Wujal residents about community preparedness during a special event on 9 October. Photo: Steve Cooke Photography.
Weather doesn’t plan, but you can.
That was the message rugby league legend and Get Ready Queensland Ambassador Johnathan Thurston (JT) shared with Wujal Wujal residents at a special community day as part of this year’s Get Ready Queensland Week from 8-13 October.
Organised by Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council and Get Ready Queensland, the event, held on 9 October, celebrated the community’s strength and resilience as it continues to recover from the terrible effects of Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
Mayor Alister Gibson and council members shared their community’s stories about the event and showed JT the impacts of the flood devastation.
JT also spoke to locals and played touch football and the Get Ready Queensland emergency kit game with children from Bloomfield River State School, while council staff cooked up a delicious barbecue lunch.
With the severe weather season rapidly approaching and memories of last season’s impacts fresh in everyone’s minds, Get Ready Queensland officers were also on hand in Wujal Wujal with information on preparing for disasters such as cyclones, floods and bushfires.
Other Get Ready Queensland Week activities were held across Far North Queensland in Cairns, Mareeba and Cooktown.
Taking place annually, Get Ready Queensland Week promotes the importance of preparing for disasters, and encourages every Queenslander to take action before severe weather arrives.
To make it easier for Queenslanders to create a severe weather plan, a new online tool is available at www.getready.qld.gov.au/plan that steps people through the process, pre-fills localised information, and provides advice, contacts and checklists.
The Get Ready Queensland program is managed by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, the state’s lead agency for disaster recovery and resilience, and is strengthened by the support of major partner Suncorp.
Rugby league legend Johnathan Thurston was a hit with the kids of Wujal Wujal when he participated in a community event as part of Get Ready Queensland Week earlier this month. Photo: Steve Cooke Photography.
