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Goodna's Pillar of Courage and Historic Flood Marker was unveiled on
12 January 2012 to mark the first anniversary of the Brisbane River Flood
at Goodna. From left, Queensland Governor Penelope Wensley, Mayor
Paul Pisasale, Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Premier Anna Bligh, State
Member for Bundamba Jo-Ann Miller, Cr Paul Tully and
Federal Member for Oxley Bernie Ripoll.
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The City of Ipswich Pillar of Courage was unveiled this morning, while a Stone of Courage will be the centrepiece of a community commemoration tonight to mark the first anniversary of the 2011 flood.
The Ipswich suburb of Goodna is now home to the Pillar of Courage in Alf Harris Park on the corner of Queen and Church next to the main Goodna roundabout.
The second monument, the City of Ipswich Stone of Courage, will stand at the entrance to the River Heart Parklands.
Both will serve as permanent reminders of the city's resilience and the community's support for each other.
Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale said today's anniversary of the January 11 flood also marked a year of heart-warming stories of courage and selfless generosity.
"They have kept us going and continued to sustain us during the rebuilding process."
"It has also been amazing to witness the generous donations which have poured in from across the city, state, nation and even internationally and helped to lift people's spirits and assist with the rebuilding process.
"The Pillar of Courage and Stone of Courage are designed to represent the strength of the community."
Cr Pisasale said special thanks must also go to the army of people who rolled up their sleeves and helped people deal with the aftermath of the flooding.
"The floods brought our community together in a way never seen before as thousands of people generously helped those affected.
"There were no borders, the entire nation reached out to help us in our time of need," Cr Pisasale said.
Goodna Councillor Paul Tully who lost his own home in the flood, said it was an important opportunity for Ipswich and the Goodna community in particular, to come together on the first anniversary of flood.
"Today's commemorations will provide a real boost for flood victims who are still recovering from last January's disaster.
"It will be a time to formally thank the police, emergency services and defence personnel, and volunteers who worked tirelessly to help local residents in the aftermath of the flood.
"This will be a key part of the on-going healing process for our community," Cr Tully said.
On January 12, 2011, the flood waters at Goodna peaked at 16.4 metres above sea level or AHD (Australian Height Datum - the benchmark level surveyors use to measure height).
In 1974 the flood peak at Goodna was at 17m AHD.
The pillar at Goodna depicts the flood levels (from lowest to highest) in 1898, 2011, 1890, 1974 and 1893 when the suburb had two floods in the one year.
Heights are indicated by different coloured sections representing each major flood level and will be lit at night.
Cr Pisasale said one year on, it was time to reflect on these events including the courage of the community as it journeyed through the rebuilding process of homes, businesses, properties and lives.
"People were amazed at the devastating images which came out of Ipswich at the height of the floods last year," Cr Pisasale said.
"It was incredible to witness the level of flooding which parts of Ipswich experienced.
"While many people are beginning to get their lives back in order once more there are others who still have a long road ahead of them and need our continued encouragement and support.
"We will continue to support each and every person until they are back in their home and life returns to normal," Cr Pisasale said.
11.1.12
