COMMUNITY T 2014 Brisbane storms
Kenilworth SES continued from page 3 other volunteers was swamped by floodwater at Lowood, near Ipswich. Kim said support was available to volunteers. “If they come across a traumatic situation like that, and there’s a member or members that aren’t doing too well, the SES provides a counselling service,” he said. Like many other SES volunteers, Kim joined the SES after being invited to come along to a training session. The sessions are held every second Tuesday night for a few hours, or very occasionally on a weekend. Greg said the first six months were devoted to giving new members the core skills to safely carry out the functions of the SES, such as first aid, radio communications, and storm damage operations. “Once you've got those base skills, SES is more of a ‘choose your own adventure kind’ of thing, where you can choose to do things like working safely at heights, chainsaw operations, traffic control operations, etc. “We recognise and value the skills that people bring into SES. While we have training structures, we also call on the real-world experiences of our members to help solve problems and help the community.” The specialist training courses tend to be held on weekends with different SES groups often taking the opportunity to host. Greg said there was no other specific time commitment. “Being an SES volunteer costs us nothing, other than our time. Everything from uniform, equipment and training are provided free of charge. What we ask in return is to help your community when the custard hits the fan, if you can. “In terms of operations and training, we are a volunteer organisation and so we expect that volunteers' priorities should be their family and their work/study, before SES. “However, we do want people to participate when they are able. Callout available is not rostered as such, but we just send a text out and those who are available respond and go to the shed. “Sometimes we'll get no callouts for months and then other times we'll get multiple calls in a week... every callout is different.” The recent floods could draw some new SES recruits. Kim said it was not unusual to receive enquiries from potential volunteers while SES members were recently out and about. The best strategy for anyone interested in joining was to contact their local group and get along to a training night for starters. “We had a few people approach us and ask us what we do and all that. We just say if they want to join up, go along to your nearest SES group and do that and you can see what’s involved and get a feel for it,” said Kim. The SES is open to Australian citizens 16 and over. An interview with the local controllers and a police check are standard procedure for entry and volunteers must also be eligible for a blue card for working with children. Kim said the SES suited people who wanted to help others but it could also suit people looking to widen their social circle or challenge themselves. “It’s not just a way of helping the community. It’s a way of meeting new people and making new friends. It’s also got that social aspect to it,” he said. “And it’s about doing what you’ve been trained to do the way you’ve been trained to do it and to the best of your ability.”
4 |11 MAY 2022
EARLY FLOOD WARNING NETWORK SINCE 1900
he first report of a telephone connection to Kenilworth was published in the Telegraph newspaper on 24 March, 1900 on page 9:- The telephone flood warning line between Kenilworth; in the upper Mary Valley, and Nambour is now practically completed, and we understand that Mr. Henderson, hydraulic engineer, will shortly make an official inspection of the work. It will be recollected that this flood warning system was introduced by Mr. Henderson. Historic Note: John Henderson was employed as a hydraulic engineer for the Qld Government between 1893-1914. The recommendation for a telephone connection came from the Commission of Inquiry into the 1893 flooding of Brisbane when it was realised that the floodwaters in Kenilworth reached Gympie 12 hours later and an early warning system could save lives and property. It took almost a quarter of a century for further connections to the telephone network to come to pass in the district. The following entries from the diary of Winne Grace Sims in 1924 may give some indication of the advances in telecommunications in the 90 plus years since the first switchboard was installed in the district.
October – Tuesday 28 – The telephone mechanic came just before dinner. He put the public phone in but not the switchboard. He left this afternoon and talk about laugh at our experiences with the jolly thing. We got a ring and Ern answered it. He couldn’t manage too well so I took the receiver and we didn’t make too much of a success of it. At tea time we thought it was our ring again and Ray answered it and interrupted two people having a yarn. Friday 31 – We are getting quite used to the 'phone. I rang up Belli about the mail. Lil had her first ring today. We can only ring Eumundi and Belli till it is officially opened. November – Monday 10 – The telephone was opened today. I rang up Mrs Chaddy but the lines were crossed and I had some fun but couldn’t get a yarn. The 'phone doesn’t worry us now. Thursday 13 – The phone has caused us a little trouble. I rang up Mrs Chadwick but she couldn’t hear. Friday 28 – It is the telephone men's last night at the camp by the creek. They had high times tonight. One of them, Paddy (Arthur Miller), rode Creamy to Eumundi last Friday and he died on the way home. Pictured Post Office and Telephone Exchange attached to the home of Richard and Hannah Sims at Gheerulla. The small box to the right of the PO steps believed to be the public telephone. The little girl is Nell Sims (Platz) taken 1927/28. (Photo from Lenore Meldrum). The Museum in Alexandra Street has many more stories about the history of telephone communications in the district. Come along any Sunday between 10am and 2pm to learn more.
RAINFALL MOY POCKET APRIL 2022
by Graham Brennan April had 41mm. Last April 56mm. 21 year average for April 75mm. There was rain on 13 days. Average being 12 days. Total rain for first four months 1507mm. Previous wettest Jan. to April 2013 with 1113mm. For the same period last year 437mm. January to April average 635mm. 12 month total rainfall till end of April 2231mm. 20 year average 1196mm.
The Mary Valley Voice
