Salvos continue flood relief in sodden outback Queensland

Bundamba Corps volunteers with their care packages for flood-ravaged outback Queensland.

BY SIMONE WORTHING

As recent flooding across western Queensland continues to impact remote communities, The Salvation Army’s support is ongoing.

When Tropical Cyclone Alfred appeared on weather radar screens in March, Majors Jo and Mark Bulow, The Salvation Army’s South Queensland Flying Service and Rural Chaplains, were watching.

They anticipated the need for essential items, care packages and other supports and started to organise chaplains and volunteers to respond, in collaboration with local councils, and with funds released by The Salvation Army Disaster Emergency Fund.

In the first three months of the year, record-breaking floods hit northern Queensland before Cyclone Alfred tracked unusually far south and made landfall in South East Queensland, bringing widespread winds and rains. The rain then tracked inland, and some regions in central and outback Queensland have experienced highest rain and flood levels ever.

Majors Mark and Jo Bulow, South Queensland Flying Service and Rural Chaplains.

The Bulows oversee a team of chaplains from Longreach to Mt Isa – an area 7.5 times as large as Victoria.

“When western areas began to flood and people from Jundah (1250km north-west of Brisbane) were evacuated to Longreach, we went out to Longreach to assist chaplains Greg and Kathy Weller pack toiletries and other essentials and work with the local council,” said Mark.

“The water levels continued to rise, but we made it to Thargomindah (1066km west of Brisbane) when the water went down and provided packs for those still left in town. Many had already been evacuated to Charleville. All but 12 of the more than 90 houses in Thargomindah were impacted by up to a metre of floodwaters through their homes. We also had packs for Jundah.

“Our thanks to the Bundamba Corps volunteers for their help in putting together care packages for those impacted by this flooding.”

“The spirit of these beautiful people gives you the energy to keep going,” said Jo.

For the Bulows, Thargomindah holds a special place in their hearts. “We were visiting there every Christmas until COVID,” said Jo. “We would run Christmas concerts and cook our donuts for people when there were no other events on. It’s different now with a town Christmas party, but we still visit and catch up with people.

Travelling by road allows the team to take extra support people and supplies.

“After Anzac Day, we went out again with more and helped with some tools and a few tradesmen to do some basic maintenance until insurance reps come out – if the people have coverage.

“The floods of 2025 are now the measuring stick for water levels, surpassing the previous record from the 1974 floods.”

Mark said that, when the roads are cut, they can fly to remote areas and assist those impacted by the flooding. However, due to weight limits and the need to return fuel, they can’t take out extra people or supplies. “It’s ideal if we can drive so we can take out five to six people and essentials for people and livestock.”

Jo shared that the people in these remote towns are going through the stages of grief.

Volunteers putting some packages together for those impacted by the floods.

“Some are angry, in disbelief, overwhelmed or good spirits – there is a range of feelings,” she said. “When they showed us through their houses and shared how hard it was and how frustrated they were, they weren’t looking for answers or solutions, just someone to listen to them.”

It’s hard work for the Bulows and their teams, too, and everyone is tired.

“The spirit of these beautiful people gives you the energy to keep going,” said Jo. “They energise us and it’s just so worth spending time with them.”

Canvas Cathedral

In between flood relief efforts, Mark and Jo also participated in the annual Canvas Cathedral on Good Friday.

Around 800 people attend the Good Friday service each year.

In empty paddocks outside Kalbar, three crosses are erected on a hill two weeks prior to Good Friday. The week prior to the day, the crosses are illuminated at night by a generator that also powers the Good Friday service.

Up to 800 people from around South East Queensland attend the ecumenical service, held under a massive canvas tent.

“Lots of people who don’t usually attend church come,” Mark explained. “It’s non-confrontational and community-focused, with leaders from five denominations, including the Salvos, leading segments of the service. Jo led our segment this year, while I cooked over 1000 donuts for morning tea.

“This has been happening for 20 years, and we have been involved for the last seven. It’s a special atmosphere on a special day.”