Nothing brings the counry together like a telethon. Considering the disaster that is unfolding within Queensland at the moment – Theodore, Bundaberg, Emerald, Surat, Rockhampton (and soon to be St George – again) and more – it’s an important time for the country to come together and support those people who have been severely impacted by this latest deluge & flooding.
With over $10 million already raise through the Queensland Premier’s appeal, all money raised by this appeal will bolster and improve the help that can be offer to those impacted by this amazing natural disaster. From the press release:
The Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh, and The Nine/WIN Network today announced a National fund raising appeal to be held on Sunday night Live from 6.30pm local Queensland and Nationally from 7.30pm.
These floods are arguably the worst in Queensland’s history. The affected area is larger than New South Wales or bigger than France and Germany combined. There have been entire towns evacuated and others cut-off from supplies. Currently over 200,000 people are effected.
At this stage the enormous damage bill is predicted to be in the billions of dollars and the situation is still worsening in some areas.
Premier Anna Bligh, who today inspected flood damage and clean-up efforts in Alpha and Jericho, congratulated The Nine Network for organising the telethon. “The star power of Channel Nine will really help to kick along donations to the Premiers’ Disaster Relief Appeal. Since the Queensland Government launched the appeal, Australian families and businesses have dug deep raising more than $10 million.
“This is an unprecedented flood and the thousands of affected families really need help from all levels of government, multinational companies and their fellow Australians. Aussies have a proud record of supporting disaster victims and I know the telethon will really help focus attention on the appeal. There will be thousands of people reaching for their phones on Sunday night to donate money and I’ll be helping to answer the calls,” Ms Bligh said.
Nine Network Queensland Managing Director, Kylie Blucher confirmed this massive mobilisation of the Nine Network team this morning and says “This is probably one of the easiest decisions Nine and WIN have ever made given the extraordinary spirit being shown by the Queenslanders in these flood affected areas. It will be our honour and privilege to do our bit to help these brave Queenslander’s get back on their feet.”
Nine is assembling a star-studded line up, further details to be announced tomorrow.
UPDATE 07/01/11: The stars who’ve signed on have been announced! Performing at the Southbank Piazza will be Tina Arena, Jessica Mauboy, Altiyan Childs, David Campbell, Lee Kernaghan, Kasey Chambers, & Troy Cassar-Daley. Qld Premier Anna Bligh will also be at Southbank.
An even bigger list of sports stars & personalities will be manning the phones in the call centre: Jonathan Brown, Meshel Laurie, Wally Lewis, Jamie Dunn, Peter Dick, Greg Carey, Gary Hardgrave, Michael Price, John-Paul Langbroek, James Hopes, Chris Hartley, Brad Fittler, Shelley Craft, Les Hill, Gigi Edgley, Katherine Hicks, Peter Phelps, Tim Blackwell, Marty Sheargold, Paul “Campo” Campion, Robin Bailey, Darren Lockyer, Justin Hodges, Dane Carlaw, Ben Hunt, Andrew Lofthouse, Melissa Downes, Emma Freedman, Ken Sutcliffe, Fatty (Paul) Vautin, Wendell Sailor, Mark Vincent, Kate Miller-Heidke, Steve Jacobs, Catriona Rowntree, Akmal Saleh, Paul Taylor, Lisa McCune, Ian Stenlake, Jessica Origliasso, & Carl Barron.
I’ll be at the call centre tweeting, taking some shots and interviewing some of the personalities involved – and I’ll publish the video for you all to enjoy!
Qld Flood Relief Appeal – Australia Unites – Sun 9/1 6.30pm BNE (7:30pm SYD, MEL), Ch9.
Hi from the UK. I am absolutely amazed that there has not been a world wide appeal to support the flood victims in Australia. The devastation has clearly left many homeless, ruined livelihoods and worst of all taken the lives of many people. What is so different about this disaster when compared with others over the past few years? Possibly the fact that it is a wealthy western nation involved with a well developed infrastructure to support those in difficulty. But wouldn’t be good for the world to support our friends in Oz. I have contacted the Disasters Emergency Committee in the UK to ask when they are going to do something. Come on world we have supported your problems why not help here.
Paul Matthews – Preston, England
Paul, thanks for your comment from the UK! I understand all diplomats are in discussions with our Federal Government regarding assistance – any and all will indeed be welcome (and that’s coming from our Prime Minister and Qld State Premier!). The worst is yet to come for Ipswich and Brisbane…
The Disasters Emergency Committee have just responded to me. Basically you are doing a good enough job supporting yourself so they won’t get involved. It’s a shame because the Queensland Government appeal is already $32 million and with additional profile from them I am sure you weould be able to increase that amount considerably. Me I’ve put a few quid in the pot. Not much but I hope it will help. I have also facebooked and twittered so maybe a few others will donate. Good luck.
Paul
I’m also in England and I also want to give some bucks to our Aussie cousins in their moment of need. We are quick enough in the UK to support countries that hate us You know who I mean, but what do we do for our Christian friends? . I’ve tried the Salvation Army Australia website but I’m referred to the UK arm and I don’t want this particular donation going anywhere else than Queensland Appeal.
There was a specific facility for the fires last year
If anyone knows a site that I can go to please e-mail me
Anybody can donate by going to http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/ – thanks for your support! Spread the word…
The UK Nationwide Building Society already have a donation route to the Pakistan Flood Appeal and a route for Queensland will be up and running in the next few days. I believe if any UK resident wishes to donate their Bank will help. Perhaps Paul of Preston and others just have not been trying.
Len – that’s great news. Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Len
I had already donated what was annoying me was the lack of profile given to the disaster in the UK!
Paul
Hi all,
I too from the uk have been trying to find websites that help the queensland flood victims and have found very little other then help for all other countries. As well as donating cash i would like to sponser a family from the flood disaster by sending over goods raised from my local area. Any suggestions how I go about this would be great.
Vicky
Vicky, that’s extremely generous. It would be best to work with the chapter of the Red Cross local to you, as they’ll know how to target the help. Thanks for stopping by.
Hi
I am trying to look for some way off setting up a donation area on our website with the money raised going to help you guys down under – does anyone know of any way we can set up a target type scenario so we can track how much we raise? As the likes of just giving from what I can see are not set up for you guys.
For now though we will set up a link to the http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/ page as that looks like the best way to hopefully get some money raised.
Dave
That’s a very generous offer, Dave. Channelling donations to the Qld Premier’s Flood Relief appeal is a great start. As for collecting things to track it yourself, there’d have to be some kind of tool on the internet. The people of Queensland appreciate your support!