We're fine - and lucky

Palm-tree destruction by Cyclone Larry. Photo from news.com.au

Contrary to some reports going around, Townsville wasn't hit by Cyclone Larry. We're fine, and we were really lucky. All we got was a bit of wind and rain. The cyclone hit the town of Innisfail, just a couple of hundred kms north of us. The people of Innisfail are struggling without food or water, though supplies are being sent in from Townsville and Cairns. Many of them have lost their homes, the roofs having been blown off in the storm.

If you would like to read all about it, there are lots of news reports here. If you would like to help, there are details of how to donate money here, or you can donate at the Commonwealth Bank.

I am hoping that I can help out somehow, but really I think they need fewer namby-pamby artistic dropouts and more people with useful skills like plumbers, electricians and builders. If you are one of these people, and you would like to go to Cairns to help for six days, you can find further details here.

Our local paper has gone nuts because they are pulling some old general out of retirement to fix everything. That story here.