Queensland: Paradise submerged

I live in the sub-tropical paradise that is Brisbane, capital of the state of Queensland. In the past seven days, though, paradise has fallen as much of the state has been engulfed in flood waters.

I’m one of the lucky ones: my house stands on stilts set high on a hill, well back from the river. But our beloved local shops at Rosalie were hit hard, with metres of muddy water streaming through and around.

It has been a strange time here; every time I turn on a power switch or walk up my front path I feel a sense of enormous gratitude – simply because I can do these things. There’s more than a tinge of guilt there too, because some people have been violently parted from their homes, their possessions, their businesses, even the people they love.

Some enormously resourceful and creative people have been setting up programs through which we can help the flood relief effort. Here are two that are especially close to my heart.

Authors for Queensland is an auction to raise money for the Queensland Flood Appeal. Drop by the site and check out the fine offerings there: there’s 300 items up for grabs. If you’re a non-fiction writer with a manuscript, you can even bid for a manuscript appraisal with me: just go to the Manuscript Assessment tab on the left-hand side and scroll through til you find me. Hey, go wild, go crazy: you might even want to bid on books, events, services and oddments from other writers! Bidding closes on Monday 24 February.

Writers on Rafts is the brainchild of Queensland Writers Centre and Rebecca Sparrow. More than 50 authors, agents, publishers and organisations have pledged donations, including yours truly. Everything from author talks, one-on-one mentoring, manuscript assessments, poetry readings through to books are being auctioned to support the Queensland Flood Appeal. Writers on Rafts will officially be launched on Friday 21 January, so stay tuned.