Members of the AMWU in Queensland have rallied to assist people affected by the state’s recent floods by volunteering to clean up and rebuild devastated homes in Brisbane. 
 
Assistant Queensland Secretary Danny Dougherty, was part of a crew of officials, officers, delegates, and members who spent time working in the south-western suburbs of Brisbane home to hundreds of AMWU members.
 
“We put a call out to our delegates that if any members needed assistance we would head out and give them a hand,” Mr Dougherty said. 
 
“Many of the members we helped didn’t have extended family or friends. Some, particularly our Vietnamese members, had limited English and support networks.”
 
Such was the extent of the damage the crew even assisted residents living adjacent to members.
 
“We’re not talking about a couple of feet of water, we are talking about water going over the top of houses. People have lost everything. We’ve helped them clear out their homes, garages and gardens.
 
“I came across one elderly woman who was standing in her garden, surrounded by meters of mud. She had no family and no idea about how to clean her home.”
 
The AMWU has also responded to the disaster by donating $20,000 to a newly established AMWU relief account. Members around the country are also encouraged to the account with all raised to be directed to the Queensland Premier’s flood appeal.
 
“The majority of the members we assisted didn’t have flood insurance. Some of people around Goodna, Redbank and Camira are real battlers.
 
“There’s no doubt it will take months if not years for them to rebuild and recover.”

To donate to the fund you can either make an electronic fund transfer (EFT) or by completing this form and sending it to the address listed.

EFT:

AMWU Disaster Appeal Account
Bank: NAB
BSB: 082 057
Account Number: 188 989 948

Reference: Your member number and 'appeal'