THE Bayside community has been praised for showing extraordinary resilience in its cyclone recovery efforts.
Cyclone Alfred left its mark across the Bayside suburbs, particularly in areas like Tingalpa, where Boundary St saw floodwaters rise to over a metre.
However, in true Baysider fashion, State Member for Lytton Joan Pease said the community had come together to support each other in the face of adversity.
“Most residents in the Bayside had power outages, and Wynnum West and Hemmant residents fared the worst with up to three days without power,” she said.
“We’ve had significant flooding in low-lying areas, particularly in Tingalpa where I toured homes in Boundary St.
“Carmichael Park in Tingalpa, where the Wynnum Wolves and Wynnum Manly Cricket Club are based, copped a huge deluge.
“Baysiders are incredibly community minded.”
Many Baysiders emerged as local heroes in the wake of the cyclone.
One resident, Sandi, known for her own financial struggles, made platters of sandwiches for those impacted by the storm, exemplifying the community’s spirit of selflessness.
David Westlake, President of the Wynnum Manly and District Men’s Shed, along with Secretary Michael Cross and former local member Peter Cummins, volunteered their time to fill sandbags for the community.
Despite the rain, and physical work required, the trio toiled tirelessly to support those in need.
At 80 years old, Mr Westlake has continued to dedicate himself to community service, leading teams to clear debris from the yards of elderly residents in the blazing sun.
His efforts don’t stop there; Mr Westlake is often found helping elderly women with tasks like moving furniture or cleaning out long-accumulated piles in garages.
Angus, a local volunteer, was recognised for his tireless work in lifting 20kg sandbags into hundreds of vehicles ahead of the storm.
His effort ensured that vulnerable families had sandbags to protect their homes.
Local businesses have been particularly hard hit, with power outages and flooding leading to some local traders losing more than $50,000.
Many small businesses, especially in Wynnum West and Hemmant, were forced to discard spoiled stock as they went without power for days.
In response to the economic strain, Ms Pease has called for greater government assistance for small businesses in the area.
“Our small businesses are the backbone of our local economy,” she said.
“We must support them during this difficult time.”
One of the most immediate impacts of Cyclone Alfred was the widespread power outages that affected thousands of homes and businesses.
Energex workers, including 2265 staff members, have worked tirelessly to restore power to the affected areas.
