When rivers rose and swallowed fences, homes, and hope across Western Queensland, a ripple of heartbreak was felt all the way in Kenmore. Now, that ripple is becoming a wave of support.
Kenmore Rotary Club has donated $10,000 to the Western Flood Appeal to help families, graziers, and small towns across the outback recover from one of the worst natural disasters to hit the region in decades.
A Deep Connection to the Land
For those who know places like Quilpie, Jundah or Adavale, these aren’t just names on a map but homes. Generations have grown up on the land, weathering the harshest conditions with quiet strength. But even for the toughest among them, the recent floods have brought devastation unlike anything seen before.
More than 150,000 livestock have perished, entire paddocks have turned into lakes, and infrastructure has been torn apart by floodwaters. With damages climbing past $2 billion, the impact is overwhelming.
In Kenmore, far from the flood zones, the Rotary Club has found a way to help by offering practical support through prepaid debit cards of $250 and $500 to those who need it most. These cards give families and graziers the freedom to buy what they need, when they need it, without the wait for red tape or complicated claims.
Backed by a Community That Cares
The $10,000 donation didn’t come from big grants or government funds. It came from bottle collections and community effort. Through Kenmore Rotary’s recycling containers program, locals have quietly been making a difference, one container at a time.
Between July and March, the program raised $11,000. Some of that has already gone to local causes, but a large part is now headed west, where it will help people rebuild homes, replace essentials, and keep going when it feels impossible.
This is just one piece of a much larger puzzle. Rotary District 9620 and Rotary District 9560 are working together to distribute aid quickly, while partnering with groups like GIVIT, BlazeAid and Farm Angels to deliver goods, services, and mental health support. From fences to food hampers to care packs and counselling, every part of the recovery matters.
“They Know What to Do—They Just Need Our Help”
As one Quilpie-born resident shared in a public callout for support, these graziers and families have lived and breathed the land for generations.
“Please don’t begin to tell me what they should and shouldn’t be doing,” she said. “They know what to do. Right now, they just need our help.”
And Kenmore is listening. The Rotary Club’s donation is not just money. It’s a message that says: you are not alone.
How to Lend a Hand
For those who want to join in, there are many ways to help. Donations can be made through the Rotary Foundation’s Disaster Response Fund or directly to District 9560’s Disaster Fund. Tax-deductible options are available for individuals, while Rotary clubs and groups can contribute to immediate-response funds.
Many local and national organisations are also stepping in, from the QCWA Quilpie Branch to BlazeAid, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, and Outback Futures. Whether it’s rebuilding fences or supporting mental health in isolated communities, every action counts.
What began as a tragedy is slowly becoming a story of resilience, shaped by people across the country who care deeply…even from hundreds of kilometres away.
Published 23-April-2025
