Queensland flood Donations from our Northern Neighbours
Submitted: Friday, Feb 04, 2011 at 22:58
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Member - Stephen L (Clare SA)
Hi All
I Just thought that I would like to share these couple of pictures with you all. My son James has just returned
home from working over on the Solomon Islands Western Province island of New Georgia. He has been surveying the old World War 2 air strip at Munda in preparation of work to commence within the next 12 months on a complete runway upgrade.
James said Island life is very simple and they are poor people, yet so happy and friendly. He felt very proud to be an Australian when he was in the local market. He heard what he thought was a commotion over a megaphone and went to see what was going on. For people that only earn around $3 Australian a day, there were locals out collecting money for the Flood Victims of Queensland. James asked them about the money being raised and they said that when they had natural disasters over there, us Australians were the first to send in help and aid and they do not forget that. James said it was their way of helping out. The money collected was not a large amount, but was the thought that counts and we never get to hear about a great story like this from a poor island over hear in Australia.
Cheers
Stephen
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Reply By: Member - Porl - Friday, Feb 04, 2011 at 23:03
Friday, Feb 04, 2011 at 23:03
Wow, that's quite a perspective.
AnswerID:
444238
Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Friday, Feb 04, 2011 at 23:13
Friday, Feb 04, 2011 at 23:13
Hi Porl
I feel that is a fantastic job by those poor people and they should get the praise that they deserve and is a good news story that all Australians should see.
Cheers
Stephen
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Reply By: Muntoo - Friday, Feb 04, 2011 at 23:53
Friday, Feb 04, 2011 at 23:53
Yes absolutley great.
But, and i have heard stories of other poor
places doing the same, except the money never arrives where its meant to. Thats usually only in corrupt
places, but everywhere has there good and bad. The people giving money may mean
well, but those taking it may not.
Look at Australia, we are one of the kindest countries on earth, yet through these incidents we have scumbags looting.
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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Saturday, Feb 05, 2011 at 00:50
Saturday, Feb 05, 2011 at 00:50
Hi Muntoo
From what James has told me, it all seemed
well above board. The Island only has a
population of around 400 people, so in a very close nit community I would have thought that the locals would know who to trust and no to trust.
There were 2 white policemen on the Island as
well, one Aussie and the other a Kiwi. I would have also thought that if there was any funny business going on, they would have surely stepped in.
Once again, from such a small Island with an even smaller
population, it shows us the goodness of their hearts.
Cheers
Stephen
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Reply By: Harry and Ann (WA) - Saturday, Feb 05, 2011 at 01:15
Saturday, Feb 05, 2011 at 01:15
Fantastic, ....for people not so
well off them selves to dig deep, sort of restores your faith ,
well done.
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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Saturday, Feb 05, 2011 at 07:54
Saturday, Feb 05, 2011 at 07:54
Hi Harry and Ann
That is exactly what we thought when James showed us his pictures last night.
These are the good type of stories that should be told so we can hear in Australia that the Nations that we do offer help and Aid do appreciate what we do for them.
Cheers
Stephen
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Reply By: Fiona & Paul - Saturday, Feb 05, 2011 at 07:34
Saturday, Feb 05, 2011 at 07:34
Great pickup Stephen and really puts things into perspective, so now I'm over being envious of your Sturt Pea collection (missed it by that much) as there are more important things to consider every day.
Regards
Paul R
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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Saturday, Feb 05, 2011 at 08:12
Saturday, Feb 05, 2011 at 08:12
Hi Fiona and Paul
They may be poor, but James said they were some of the friendliest and helpful people he has ever met. They know how very much the Tourist trade is worth and when the locals heard that there were a couple of people working on the old run way, a group of locals approached them and asked when can they start to work and help to get the run way ready.
Don't worry about the Sturt Desert Pea pictures, as there will always be good displays to be seen in
Roxby Downs at the right times of the year.
Cheers
Stephen
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Reply By: Dasher Des - Saturday, Feb 05, 2011 at 09:50
Saturday, Feb 05, 2011 at 09:50
Nice story Stephen, It would be good if the press ran the storey instead of all the negative ones that they love to spread.
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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Saturday, Feb 05, 2011 at 10:34
Saturday, Feb 05, 2011 at 10:34
Hi Dasher Des
That was the reason why I posted it, as like you I thought that it was a story that Australians should hear about.
Cheers
Stephen
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