Who's Larry?

Staff at Endeavour’s Walumba Adult Training Support Service (ATSS) in Innisfail recently sat down with service users to revisit the event of Monday 20 March 2006 – Tropical Cyclone Larry - in preparation for its one year anniversary.

Walumba ATSS Support Worker Paul Hoffman was surprised by the response of several of the service users, who when asked of their memories asked, “Who’s Larry?” 

“Try as we might, we could not induce recollections about the cyclone!” said Paul.

But they did remember going to the Gold Coast.  Several service users were promptly offered a week’s vacation with Special Care Travel as a means of respite from the cyclone affected area. 

“I thought they would remember the terrifying noises of the wind and trees snapping, houses without roofs and the debris strewn everywhere,” said Paul.  “But no.  Instead it was the happy moments and acts of kindness that they remembered.  So inadvertently, they’ve taught me a valuable lesson: it is not important to hold onto the bad memories of Larry, but rather the acts of unselfish kindness and human compassion we all showed towards each other.”

With help offered in every form imaginable, Innisfail has made a remarkable recovery. 

Walumba ATSS sustained some damage in the storm, but with the help of the community and organisations such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, which displayed enormous generosity in the immediate aftermath of the storm, the facility has since been repaired.

“The grounds are cleared of tree skeletons and holes have been filled in,” said Paul.  “Soon our specially designed raised garden beds will be in operation and our gardening program will take on a new dimension.” 

“You could say that out of tribulation, exciting new possibilities have emerged for us.”

As the first anniversary of Cyclone Larry approaches, it is the generosity of the community, and of Endeavour’s friends, such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, that have seen us safely thus far.

“Innisfail Endeavour service users, their families, and the Endeavour staff, are so grateful for the support we received.  We’d like to thank everyone who helped out from the bottom of our hearts.  We will not forget that kindness.”

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