RAPID RELIEF TEAM SUPPORTS MARYBOROUGH FLOOD RESPONSE

Queensland volunteers from Brethren charity Rapid Relief Team (RRT) swung into action on Saturday as floods approached the regional centre of Maryborough.

RRT’s brand new ‘Rapid Sand Bagger’ was deployed for the first time, churning out more than 6,000 sandbags to help local businesses and residents protect their homes and shop fronts from the rising flood waters.

RRT Director, Lester Sharples, said he was pleased RRT could support the community.

“I’d firstly like to thank the SES, RFS, Fraser Coast Regional Council and local community volunteers for the amazing work they have done over the past few days,” Mr Sharples said.

“It’s times like these when you see what communities are made of – and Maryborough showed such a strong spirit of support and mateship.

“I’d also like to thank our RRT volunteers for coming out and supporting the emergency services, local businesses and residents as they fought these floods.

“A whopping 100 tonnes of sand was used, and our team also dished up more than 1,000 hot meals to the emergency workers and locals displaced by the floodwater.”

The new Rapid Sand Bagger can spit out one sandbag every three seconds and can be deployed across the east coast of Australia, supporting local emergencies services when disaster strikes.

“We are happy that we could provide some assistance in a small way for the community and the region is in our prayers as they now face the difficult task of clean up and recovery.”

The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church established RRT in 2013 to express its principles of care and compassion. It is staffed by Church volunteers who provide catering services at a range of charitable events and emergencies.

Globally, the RRT has more than 14,500 volunteers and operates in Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, France, the United States, Canada and Germany.