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| Last year's dawn service at Grantham for flood victims. |
COMMUNITIES across the Toowoomba and the Lockyer Valley will hold private memorial services next month to commemorate the second anniversary of the tragic floods which claimed 25 lives.
On January 10, 2010, a wall of water tore through Toowoomba killing two people who became trapped in their car at a city intersection.
Later that afternoon, an inland tsunami tore through Murphys Creek, Postmans Ridge, Helidon and Grantham before continuing on to Ipswich then Brisbane.
It has been described as one of Australia's worst natural disasters.
The tiny town of Grantham in the Lockyer Valley was the worst hit with 12 residents loosing their lives.
Grantham resident Julie Johnson said the community wanted to do something out of the glare of the nation to mark the second anniversary.
"The community wanted to do something low-key to mark the anniversary where they can pay their respects in private," Ms Johnson said.
"January 10 will always be a memorial day.
"After a small service, we will gather in the park and have a community lunch.
"The community definitely did not want any pressure or a big hoo-hah to mark the second anniversary," she said.
Ms Johnson said the community had slowly started to move on with their lives.
"It will certainly be a day of reflection for many people," she said.
"Where the memorial is placed it is very symbolic for the families of those who lost loved ones.
"The day will be about moving forward but also paying respects to those who lost their lives," she said.
Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio said no plans had been made to mark the anniversary in the city.
"We certainly want to remember those who lost their lives," Cr Antonio said.
"The impact of the floods in this region was enormous.
"We also want to keep the awareness going that Toowoomba can flood," he said.
It is understood that Federal Attorney-General and Minister for Emergency Management Nicola Roxon will visit the region on January 10 and meet with Cr Antonio and his Lockyer Valley counterpart Cr Jones.
On January 10, 2010, a wall of water tore through Toowoomba killing two people who became trapped in their car at a city intersection.
Later that afternoon, an inland tsunami tore through Murphys Creek, Postmans Ridge, Helidon and Grantham before continuing on to Ipswich then Brisbane.
It has been described as one of Australia's worst natural disasters.
The tiny town of Grantham in the Lockyer Valley was the worst hit with 12 residents loosing their lives.
Grantham resident Julie Johnson said the community wanted to do something out of the glare of the nation to mark the second anniversary.
"The community wanted to do something low-key to mark the anniversary where they can pay their respects in private," Ms Johnson said.
"January 10 will always be a memorial day.
"After a small service, we will gather in the park and have a community lunch.
"The community definitely did not want any pressure or a big hoo-hah to mark the second anniversary," she said.
Ms Johnson said the community had slowly started to move on with their lives.
"It will certainly be a day of reflection for many people," she said.
"Where the memorial is placed it is very symbolic for the families of those who lost loved ones.
"The day will be about moving forward but also paying respects to those who lost their lives," she said.
Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio said no plans had been made to mark the anniversary in the city.
"We certainly want to remember those who lost their lives," Cr Antonio said.
"The impact of the floods in this region was enormous.
"We also want to keep the awareness going that Toowoomba can flood," he said.
It is understood that Federal Attorney-General and Minister for Emergency Management Nicola Roxon will visit the region on January 10 and meet with Cr Antonio and his Lockyer Valley counterpart Cr Jones.
www.thechronicle.com.au
22.12.12
