UQU's Response to Flood Affected Students

The UQ Union has been here for students during the recent Brisbane flooding.

Even before the campus was fully open, we sprung into action, assessing the damage, and putting students in touch with peers who could help. This assisted in bringing volunteers to those in need of assistance.

When a UQ student posted a GoFundme for $1,400 on social media, we contributed the entire remaining amount, which allowed the student to purchase the cleaning and gardening tools necessary for the mammoth cleanup operation. Over the weekend following the flooding, we brought 25 households in St Lucia back to a habitable status.

@uqunion Come and join us to help clean up the homes of students that have been flood affected! ☺️ #uq #uqstlucia #brisbanefloods ♬ Love You So – The King Khan & BBQ Show

Immediately following the reopening of campus, we expanded our Kampus Kitchen and Morning Marmalade programs to run daily, which is up from two free dinners and three free breakfasts a week. This was thanks to the help of a grant from the University administration.

@uqunion ☀️ Morning Marmalade with UQ Union – Flood Support! ? #uq #stlucia ♬ Breakfast – Lifted LoFi

Our mission is not over yet. We estimate that there are still as many as 1,500 students who do not have permanent accommodation in the immediate aftermath of the flooding. Many students are without power or Internet, and some are only able to access these amenities while on campus. There has never been a more important time to deliver our services to people in need.

If you are able to volunteer your time with the student union, get in touch with us today.