Working with established sister community based groups, social networks, local
commercial companies & lobbying support from local & federal members
to coordinate a united community response of donated goods directly to those
who need it.
Inspired by Baked Relief, Angel Army Flood Relief initially aimed to coordinate a
Brisbane based drop off point for baked goods to be transported to flood effected Mundubbera. Local contacts soon began requesting specific items and a direct communication chain was established with Councillor Faye Whelan – Mundubbera Council, Mundubbera SES, local residents representatives and Federal MP Andrew Laming and his team.
Angel Army Flood Relief founder Malcolm Maurer was generously supported by
the founder of Baked Relief Danielle who assisted through posting requests
directly on the Baked Relief Facebook site and webpage. Malcolm utilised social
media and established networks to obtain donations of requested items to
transport directly to the township of Mundubbera.
As donations gained momentum, Malcolm sourced donations directly from
corporate companies and requested assistance from Federal MP Andrew Laming
to raise the profile of the community group and to assist with transportation of
some goods that could not be carried in the two vehicle convoy to Mundubbera.
In addition, pallets of bottled water, 700 kg of ice and a working team was
sourced and coordinated to assist.
Friends, Family & Community Members wanting to assist, provided some generous private cash donations to assist with fuel and to purchase items that could not be sourced via donation. Goods were delivered directly to Mundubbera after a lengthy 9.5 hour drive. Malcolm and his cousin Damian remained in Mundubbera for 6 days to assist elderly residents with the clean-up of their flood affected homes.
Angel Army Flood Relief aims to recharge, restock and mobilise again within the
next week as community support appears to reduce. Those people who
have had their lives affected by the devastating floods will not be forgotten as
recovery and rebuild begins, needs change our aim to adapt to suit the needs
of our fellow Queenslanders.
The Mundubbera connection...
Malcolm’s Great Grandparents, “Christine” and “Otto” boarded the ship "SS
Seydlitz" bound for Australia with their children to start a new life. Hans, Malcolm's Grandfather, was 7 months old at the time and became quite ill during the voyage. “Christine” and “Otto” prepared themselves for the loss of another child.
Arriving in Australia on Monday 6th June 1910, the family made their way up the coast of Queensland and west towards Mundubbera where they lived for a period of time at Pumpkin Hut. Land was selected outside Mundubbera in the O'Bil Bil area where the family homestead was built – ruins of the homestead still remain 103 years later.
Amanda is the last remaining child of “Christine” and “Otto”. This year she
celebrates her 95th birthday on 28 February. Amanda speaks highly of her
mother and says "You could not find a more caring mother". Malcolm has spent
numerous hours with his Great Aunt Amanda listening to stories of the family and the tough times that were endured.
It is believed that there are over 200 descendants of “Christine” & "Otto" Maurer throughout Australia, some remaining in the Burnett Region where the family originally settled.
- Category:
- Community organization