This time last week the Rockhampton/Yeppoon region was hit
by a very severe weather event. Tropical Cyclone Marcia caused widespread
damage to property and has left most of the region without power for a week –
and counting!
My thoughts go out to the many people who suffered major
property damage and loss, particularly those who also lost treasured
possessions and memories. Sadly some of those who have suffered so severely are
among our staff and students.
I feel extremely fortunate that the damage caused at the
University was limited to a large number of fallen trees and some water damage
to buildings. Both of which are things that can be easily fixed.
The thing that has had the most impact on us this week would
be the lack of power to our campus sites at Rockhampton North and Canning
Street. This obviously prevented most staff and all students from accessing the
campuses, but in the grand scheme of things we don’t have a great deal to
complain about.
However the fact that we have been without power for a week
now has caused some major disruptions to our day-to-day operations. During the
week we were able to get power on to some small buildings at both campuses thanks
to generators and because of this we’ve been able to continue delivering
essential services to staff and students. And let me tell you, for an
organisation as decentralised as CQUni, business continuity is vital!
Especially when VET courses are in full swing and you’re a week out from new
student orientation and welcoming thousands of new student’s right across the
country.
We were absolutely tested to the limit this past week but I
am pleased and proud to say that the hard work and leadership shown by staff
has meant we have risen to this challenge. What’s more the lessons learnt in
the past week will also make us stronger and more resilient in the future.
I really believe that disasters of any nature bring out the
best in people and I was witness to this in the past week. From the facilities
staff who worked tirelessly over the past week repairing damage to the campuses
(even though many of them had damage at home), to the volunteers who turned out
in force to help us clean up trees and debris, the
amazing staff at the student residence who housed and fed search and rescue
personnel, Gladstone
Port Corporation for providing fuel for generators, ITD and Student Contact
Centre staff who kept the wheels turning, and then of course staff from across
the entire campus network who not only sent well wishes but also stepped in and
got things done that we couldn't do here. I sincerely thank you all!
As well as the best coming out in people, we've also heard
some great stories this week that have managed to put a smile on many faces, my
favourite in particular was the story of our student’s pallet
house that survived the Cyclone with not a hint of damage. It’s a great
story because Angus (who lives in the house) was in Melbourne with two of his
fellow students when the Cyclone hit. They were there because last year they
won a major national award for not just the design of the house, but for a
business concept that would see them delivering these houses to disaster
affected areas. The concept houses not only provide shelter to individuals and
families but the construction of the homes will provide employment.
It’s such a simple yet great idea and I think the cartoon
below that appeared in The Morning Bulletin earlier this week really sums it
up. I also think it is very representative of how big ideas and team work got
CQUni through this disaster and how it takes a lot more than a Category 5
cyclone to dampen our spirits.
Finally, just as I’m typing this I’m pleased to say that
power has just come back on at the Rocky North campus. What a great feeling!
