The Queensland Government has announced it will help victims of the Samoan and Tongan tsunami and the Indonesian earthquake.
The Goodna Neighbourhood House at 33 Queen Street Goodna and the Leichhardt Community Group at Leichhardt will be used to co-ordinate the service to Ipswich residents.
This is a full copy of the Minister's Media Release:
Minister for Disability Services and Multicultural Affairs
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk
04/10/2009
Neighbourhood Centres to assist disaster affected communities
The Bligh Government will set up dedicated Neighbourhood Centres throughout southeast Queensland to assist those affected by the recent natural disasters in the Pacific region.
Multicultural Affairs Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said the centres were part of the Bligh Government's comprehensive response to the South Pacific tsunami (Samoa and Tonga) and earthquake in the Indonesian Archipelago.
"The Premier has asked me to lead a whole-of-government response to assist the South Pacific and Indonesian communities here in Queensland which have been affected by the events over the past few days," she said.
"We need to help these communities get back on their feet, and that's what these neighbourhood centres are all about.
"They'll be up and running early this week, providing counselling and basic support services to people caught up in these tragedies.
"We're linking local Samoan and Indonesian communities in with these neighbourhood centres.
"The Premier and I have met with community leaders and we've received a lot of feedback that they need financial support to help their families, friends and communities.
"As a result Premier Bligh has activated the Premier's Disaster Relief Fund, and I encourage everyone to contribute what they can to help out our Pacific neighbours.
"We'll also ensure that ongoing support and counselling services are available to state school students."
Ms Palaszczuk said the Neighbourhood Centres would be a central point of information for local Samoan, Tongan and Indonesian communities in Queensland.
"The centres will link with translator services for those who don't speak English and we have already distributed information to community leaders in the respective home languages," she said.
"With the help of Multicultural Affairs Queensland our plans have taken into account cultural differences including language and religious beliefs."
Ms Palaszczuk said she would host regular meetings with leaders from the affected communities from this week.
"These meetings are about helping individuals and communities move their lives forward after these disastrous events," she said.
"Queenslanders are generous and giving people, and I'm asking everyone to dig deep and get behind these communities in their time of need."
Ms Palaszczuk said the initial neighbourhood centres would be set up from Monday at:
·Multilink Community Services, Woodridge
·Kingston East Neighbourhood Group, Kingston
·Multilink Community Services, Logan Central
·Goodna Neighbourhood House, Goodna
·Leichhardt Community Group, Leichhardt
·Deception Bay Neighbourhood Centre, Deception Bay
·Caboolture Neighbourhood Centre, Caboolture
·Inala Community House, Inala
·Elorac Place, Carole Park
·Acacia Ridge and Districts Community Centre, Acacia Ridge
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has established a national hotline for Australian citizens in the affected area.
Ph: 1800 002 214.
Queensland residents seeking translation or counselling services or support due to their families being in the affected areas can also call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) for assistance.
To make a donation to the Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal visit www.qld.gov.au or phone 1800 021 884.
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PAUL TULLY: PaulGTully@gmail.com
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