In the aftermath of Cyclone Larry, The Bush Church Aid (BCA) Society is launching an appeal to provide relief for those in the cyclone affected areas of North Queensland.
BCA's Administration Manager, Robyn Williams, is coordinating the relief effort which she hopes will help residents whose houses were destroyed or damaged in the category five cyclone that hit North Queensland in the late hours of Monday night.
"We realise that clothing and food is already being distributed and this is better left to those geared to this type of relief. What we need most are gifts of money rather than goods," Ms Williams says.
"The donations received by BCA will be used to meet the immediate needs of people not covered by other means such as Government relief."
The General Manager and Registrar of the Diocese of North Queensland, Nancy Gassin, says financial support is desperately needed in the Diocese of North Queensland
The town of Innisfail was particularly hard hit with one third of the houses being completely destroyed or sustaining serious damage.
Ms Gassin says the church, too, suffered a lot of damage.
"The stained glass windows have been blown in and there is some roof damage," she says.
"The church hall has virtually been obliterated with only the stumps remaining and the rectory has also been damaged making living there inconvenient for the rector and his family," Ms Gassin says.
The rectory is still waiting on power and the water is not fit to drink.
Ms Gassin says the destructive effect of Cyclone Larry on the town will adversely affect the church.
"The biggest problem is we have one or to parishes that are going to lose the income to pay stipends to their ministers and not just now but in the long term, because of lost facilities for renting out such as halls," she says.
"Also, people are trying to rebuild their lives so they won't have money for giving to the church. We are trying to encourage people to give cash donations for specifically that reason."
Many towns and smaller rural communities as well as farms and other churches have suffered severe damage.
The Holy Cross Church, Babinda and the rectory in the parish of Gordonvale have roof damage as does a church in the Upper Tablelands parish.
The Diocesan office has not been able to make contact with the nearby church at Tully, so nothing can be reported.
The Diocese of North Queensland's Anglicare held talks with Anglicare Sydney and Anglicare Canberra and Goulbourn last week for advice on organising disaster relief.
The General Manager of Diocesan Services for Anglicare Sydney, Terry O'Mara says Anglicare Sydney has been involved in managing the business side of major emergencies for the last eight years.
"In conducting appeals, we encouraged them to ask people to send cash because from our experience, there are logistical problems with handing donated goods," he says.
The Bishop of North Queensland John Noble has also launched a Cyclone Appeal.
"Apart from meeting the immediate needs of people not covered by other means such as Government relief, it is essential to keep our priests, Ray and Ann Fishwick in place in Innisfail," he says.
The Fishwicks care for a wide area of the cyclone devastated region, and have themselves suffered in the cyclone.
"The income to the parish will inevitably plummet because of the economic difficulties visited upon the Innisfail Parish, so I wish to use the gifts of those who want to help, to ensure that ministry can be sustained in the months of hardship ahead," Bishop Noble says.
"I ask you all to pray for the community of Innisfail and to contribute generously towards the reconstruction of the community and the repair of its Church property."
Ms Gassin says the church needs to be a stabilising force in the community at this time.
"We cannot be in a position where we have to abandon the community," she says.
"The church here is very important and the people are going to need it even more at this difficult time."
To donate to BCA visit [url=http://www.bushchurchaid.com.au]http://www.bushchurchaid.com.au[/url] or call (02) 9262 5017.
To support the Bishop of North Queensland's Cyclone Relief Fund
PO Box 1244, Townsville, Qld, 4810
Direct deposits may be made to:
Westpac Bank BSB 034 222 Account 27 1397
Account Name: The Corporation of the Diocesan Synod of North Qld Anglican Savings Fund
Photographs courtesy Rum Adta
