The community is invited to grab a free coffee, share a little gratitude and help celebrate the people who make the region stronger and more resilient, especially after a disaster.
Four community events will bring residents together as part of a new Bundaberg Regional Council initiative designed to showcase how disaster resilience can be built through connection, kindness and community spirit.
The initiative comes after local flooding experienced earlier this year and will provide an opportunity for residents to recognise the people and organisations who support one another during challenging times.
Local business Favours Coffee will attend at each event and residents will be able to contribute messages to the “Thank You Bundy” board.
Mayor Helen Blackburn said resilience was about much more than preparing for an emergency.
“When we talk about disaster resilience we often think about emergency plans, sandbags, evacuation centres and recovery,” she said.
“Those things are incredibly important but resilience is also about people.
“It is about knowing your neighbours, having people you can turn to, recognising the organisations that step up when times are tough and knowing that our community will stand together when it matters most.
“These events are a simple way to celebrate that spirit.”
The first three events will give residents the chance to contribute their messages and see the Thank You Bundy board grow before the project culminates in a larger community event at Buss Park.
The final event will bring together organisations, volunteers, emergency services, Bundaberg Regional Council staff and members of the wider community to celebrate the project.
Mayor Blackburn said everyone had a role to play in building a resilient community.
“You don’t have to be a volunteer or an emergency services worker to contribute to disaster resilience,” she said.
“After the flooding earlier this year, we saw once again how much strength there is in this community and Thank You Bundy is about capturing that strength and putting it on display.”
Event details
Residents are invited to drop in to any of the following free community events:
Thursday 1 October – Christsen Park – 9 am to 11 am
Thursday 15 October – Boreham Park – 9 am to 11 am
Thursday 22 October – Fairymead House, Bundaberg Botanic Gardens – 9 am to 11 am
Thursday 5 November – Buss Park final community celebration – 9 am to 11 am
Assistance has been provided by the Australian and Queensland governments through the jointly funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
