Australia Says "We Are Sorry"
February 12, 2008
Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd says “I’m sorry, Australia is sorry, we are sorry for what has been done to the stolen generation many years ago”.
This speech has marked a truly memorable moment in Australian history to bring together a nation across divides that have spanned many decades. The foundation for the bridge has been laid and healing can finally begin.
Yeppoon’s Torrential Rainfalls Create Havoc
February 12, 2008
Yeppoon has experienced heavy rainfalls in the last 48 hours. Today was by far the biggest down poor with many local streets being closed.
The road to Emu Park was closed, as well as the road to Rockhampton for some time. Roslyn Bay was cut off from the rest of the world whichresulted in many people being stuck at work. Beaches restaurant got a direct hit with lots of electrical damage that seeped into the kitchen wrecking havoc with electrical appliances. Since the electrician couldn’t access the place due to road closures, the restaurant was only able to serve pizza’s tonight.
Other Yeppoon residents who work in Rockhampton couldn’t go to work, because of road closures. The official weather site (BOM) has recorded massive amounts of rain within a short timespan today. From 9AM Tuesday we had 130mm of rain within 24 hours. This was due to a tropical monsoon trough which battered many coastal and inland towns in Queensland today and yesterday.
Lucky enough it didn’t eventuate into a full blown cyclone which apparently is a little different from a monsoon.
Here is what weather[dot]com has to say about the difference of the two:
CYCLONE An area of closed pressure circulation with rotating and converging winds, the center of which is a relative pressure minimum. The circulation is counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. Also called a low pressure system and the term used for a tropical cyclone in the Indian Ocean. Other phenomena with cyclonic flow may be referred to by this term, such as dust devils, tornadoes, and tropical and extra-tropical systems. The opposite of an anticyclone or a high pressure system. MONSOON The seasonal shift of winds created by the great annual temperature variation that occurs over large land areas in contrast with associated ocean surfaces. The monsoon is associated primarily with the moisture and copious rains that arrive with the southwest flow across southern India. The name is derived from the word mausim, Arabic for season. This pattern is most evident on the southern and eastern sides of Asia, although it does occur elsewhere, such as in the southwestern United States.
The system has now moved further south with the Sunshine Coast and the inland being next on the agenda. Flash floods have resulted into many people being stranded.
Rockhampton Marks Telephone Poles For Floods
January 24, 2008
Rockhampton is busy preparing itself for the possible floods over this weekend and the beginning of next week. Rockhampton Mayor Margaret Strelow said that the council is currently marking telephone poles throughout the city in areas where they expect the floods to make an impact. The poles are painted with a pink dot at the eight metre level.
This will give Rockhampton residents a chance to find out whether their area might be affected from the possible floods and help them to prepare themselves. The Rockhampton race course will no doubt be affected since it always is when there is some minor flooding.
10,000 sand bags have been transported from Brisbane to use as strategic defense against rising waters if need be.
Below is an updated video from the effect the floods had in Emerald.
Rockhampton Braces For Major Floods
January 22, 2008
Local papers have confirmed since our last broadcast that Rockhampton poses serious flood threats for early next week. The Rockhampton town hall will become the nerve center for emergency operations if this eventuates.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a statement where they predict the Fitzroy River to rise some seven or eight meters. Rockhampton residents are urged to keep watch on the local news to stay informed upfront on the development of the potential floods.
Weather forecasts for early next week predict thunderstorms and more rain.
Rockhampton Floods Might Be Next
January 22, 2008
With the terrible floods in Emerald at their peak today, Rockhampton residents might be at serious risk of flooding next. National Sky news have just announced that the chances of flooding in Rockhampton is high for the next few days since the rivers of Emerald (Mackenzie and Nogoa River) run into the mighty Fitzroy which is Rocky’s very own.
This could mean some worrying sleepless nights for some of Rockhampton’s residents.
At present this is only a guess and whether it will eventuate (let’s hope not) will be revealed tomorrow.
Image:Sky News Australia
The current floods have also affected major Queensland mining industries which are costing them millions of dollars. At this stage it is unclear of when affected mines will be opening up for operation again which of course is totally water related.
The estimated damaged bill so far on the Emerald flood victims is 1 billion dollars and rising. Charleville residents are also battling their situation with levee (sand bag walls) being erected all around the town. State emergency services have acted super fast and from the moment they decided to erect those levee’s to the actual implementation no more than 20 hours past by.
Luckily the rain has stopped for now but forecasts are predicting more rain in the coming days. Rockhampton floods are a threat that we will have to deal with, if it eventuates at all.
Is It Time for A Wake Up Call?
January 22, 2008
With the current disaster of floods looming over many Queensland homes, the question arises on whether we can do something to counteract the worlds suffering? Clearly we human are somewhat responsible for the ever growing weather disasters worldwide and as time goes by, more and more people will suffer the consequences.
To loose our home, everything we own or even worse our lives is like getting a late wake up call to change the way we live for those affected. With our tendencies to build closer to water and not worrying too much that it could be us who will be affected from the next natural disaster, we are shutting down our reasoning of concern, thinking it is the “others” that are affected.
We feel for them and suffer with them but at the same time are glad it isn’t us.
But what happens when next time round it is? Granted, life sometimes brings the unexpected in terms of nature, but never in the history of our lifetime has the world suffered so many natural mishaps as right now. And it’s hitting closer to home.
Where in the past disasters only happened in underdeveloped countries we now face them head on right at our doorstep or worse at home.
Isn’t it time we all woke up yesterday and started to help save the earth?
Or are we a nation (world) of non caring people about mother earth, people who don’t worry about tomorrow, how life will be for our children?
We can do our bit to help mother earth, no matter how small and we better start NOW. We should stop being such ignorant users of free resources and start cutting back and recycle, use less water, less power, stop throwing away rubbish in the streets and on beaches and instead help to make the future a better place.
What do you think? Are you for or against the cause of saving the earth from further global warming or do you feel it is already too late? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section, or alternatively you can send an SMS to the editor on 0418 850 991.
Emerald Floodwaters Expected to Peak This Afternoon
January 20, 2008
Thousands of Queensland homes have been inundated with the recent heavy downpour in the State. An estimated 2/3 of the Queensland country (approx. 1 million square kilometers) is flooded right now with many people being evacuated from their homes.
Emerald residents are amongst the worst affected and as I’m writing this, hundreds of people are being evacuated to higher grounds as the floods are expected to peak this afternoon between 3PM and 3.30PM.
Both the Nogoa River and the Fairbairn Dam are bursting which dramatically affects all people living and traveling in the area. As mentioned in an earlier post, Queensland weather has wrecked havoc in the past week and people are affected by this State wide.
Near Emerald a mine had to be evacuated and stories of remarkable survival have been featured in local newspapers in recent days. Perhaps a blessing for some farmers who have been devoid of rain for many years, the crazy weather has created a lot of destruction and devastation for Queensland residents.
Emerald is a convenient 3.5 hour drive from Yeppoon. On the Map below you can see the driving route.
Let’s hope that there will be relief for all those affected and don’t forget to praise Queensland State Emergency Services for working around the clock helping those so desperately in need.
Popular Artist Lil’ Fi Coming to Town
January 18, 2008
Lil’ Fi is a dynamic entertainer who is well known in folk blues, gospel, funk and R&B. A regular at the famous Woodford Folk Festival she has won several music awards in the Australian Blues Music Awards. Her distinctive voice and bubbling energy with sweep you up in her feel good energy.
Set to play a local gig at the Yeppoon Town Hall on 25th January she is no stranger to Yeppoon locals. Having been a key act in last years Village Festival it will be great to have her back amongst us. Supported by well known local band The Aristocats the concert is et to be a roaring success. Tickets are available from the Yellow Books and Music Shop for $20 including some yummy Sangria and light refreshments. Arts Council members are able to grab tickets for a bargain $15.
Lil’ Fi genuinely believes in the healing power of music and this is showing in all her shows. Being a bit of an enigma she is not afraid to put on a real act and drape herself in a feather boa, slam the drums or hammer the piano. As a truly spirited performer Lil’ Fi will most likely set the house on fire with her upcoming performance. To see more of Lil’ Fi, visit her website.
Yeppoon Woolworths Soon to Open
January 15, 2008
Much has been discussed lately about the brand new huge shopping complex that will be the new home of Woolworth, Big W and many retail stores. Finally Yeppoon locals will have a choice when they do their weekly shopping and they don’t have to drive the 80 km’s round trip just to go shopping in Rockhampton and spend money on fuel.
Yeppoon Woolworth is set to open on March 3rd 2008. They are just about ready to stock their shelves which is great and are currently hiring staff. Apparently the floor space of the shop is close to 1 acre which is massive in terms of stock variation.
Talking to many locals over the last couple of month, I know that we are all ready for this. Most can’t wait for the doors to open and it is likely that on opening day the place will be jam packed.
Despite that excitement, some wonder whether smaller shops in town will be negatively affected by this? Naturally many existing businesses chose to move into the new complex, which leaves us wondering what will happen to the vacated premises.
According to sources Country Target and KMart along with Coles will occupy Keppel Bay Plaza after it had a face lift which is yet to happen. If this eventuates, this will be great since it will give locals plenty of places to spend their money in town Yeppoon.
We are all for keeping the money in our local community since this provides us with better and more job opportunities.
Certainly the local population growth of late years requires these infrastructures to be built and it is high time that we see some retail development here in Yeppoon.
