As the dust settled on Boxing Day 2024, thousands were left without power and many properties suffered extensive damage.
The Jimboomba Community Hall became a lifeline hub for west Logan residents, offering a place for help, shelter and connection during a time that many had never experienced before.
Jimboomba local Sarah Weir, working with the Rotary Club of Jimboomba, ran the community recovery efforts at the hall, after seeing the damage at her own property, knowing there would be a lot of people worse off.
“Initially, we thought it wasn’t too bad. It was more of a cleanup scenario,” she said.
“But over the next few days, it became clear how significant the damage was—it was actually really bad.”
At the hall, Mrs Weir and other volunteers cooked and provided warm meals for residents.
“We didn’t just want to offer a quick fix like a vegemite sandwich,” she said.
“Most of the residents using the hall were dealing with the trauma from the storm and were suffering from sleep deprivation.
“If we could at least nourish one part of their body, it was a small but meaningful way to help them feel better overall.”
The meals also offered the chance for residents to connect with others who were going through the same ordeal.
“The families coming into the hall most nights were usually the same group of people,” Mrs Weir said.
“It was beautiful to see families connecting over a meal, their kids playing together and knowing that they weren’t alone.”
Beyond meals, Mrs Weir also reached out to Orange Sky Laundry, an organisation that provides laundry services through vans equipped with washing machines and dryers, after using her friends washing machine in Yarrabilba.
“I was washing clothes and I remembered I had donated to Orange Sky before and I wondered if they could assist us,” she explained.
Her timing was perfect as Orange Sky was already preparing to deploy assets for storm relief for the storms in North Queensland.
A year on, Mrs Weir has continued to support residents by referring them to additional support services when needed.
Her efforts provided more than just relief—they brought comfort, humanity, and hope to those struggling in the aftermath of the storm.
“Sometimes, it’s the smallest things—like a hot meal or clean clothes—that can remind people they’re not alone,” Mrs Weir said.
Her efforts during that time earned her the Logan City Council Volunteer of the Year Frank Lenz Memorial Award.
