In the wake of one of Australia’s most devastating natural disasters, residents of the flood affected areas have been struck by the magnitude of the Australian spirit of strength and compassion, according to the Greek Orthodox Vicar General for Queensland, Father Dimitri Tsakas.

The rural and urban fire brigades, SES workers, Police and other emergency services have been putting in round-the-clock efforts at recovery, Fr Tsakas told Neos Kosmos.

“Anyone with proximity to the affected areas cannot escape the outpouring of civic consciousness and community compassion evident through the tens of thousands of volunteers and the comforting presence of the Australian Armed Forces,” he said. “Few nations around the globe would be able to boast such civilised behaviour and effective communal response.”

Community members of the Greek Orthodox Church of St George in Brisbane have turned out in hoards to help those affected, Fr Tsaskas said.

“This has become a milestone for us as a Church community seeing its future as an authentic part of the fabric of the broader Australian landscape,” he said.

The Church initially responded to the immediate needs of its members who were evacuated, by arranging emergency accommodation with the help of many parishioners.

Emergency Assistance was made available 24/7 through telephone, internet, and social media while community facilities were offered to the relevant authorities for use as an emergency evacuation centre.

As soon as the waters began to recede the church issued a call for volunteers with an overwhelming response from the youth.

“We ended up with hundreds of volunteers in a matter of hours. A call was made for donations of food, water, cleaning products, gloves, masks, baby formula, baby nappies, medical supplies…the response again was unprecedented,” Fr Tsaskas said.

Greek community volunteers have been cleaning houses, streets, preparing food, feeding others, delivering supplies, and providing support for emergency services personnel.

Volunteer teams were sent to severely affected areas, where they delivered assistance and supplies as far as the Ipswich evacuation centre.

The church’s biggest support station, operating out of the house of Parishioners Anthony and Nikki Cassimatis, offered support for Australian Army personnel, Fire Brigade, SES workers, Police and Council Workers by providing a rest station, food, water and coffee for two weeks in the aftermath of the floods.

Greek community members also collected donations of school supplies for lower income flood affected areas.

“A great joy was walking the streets with food and water freely offering them to people and in particular to the soldiers and volunteers,” Fr Tsaskas said.

An evening English Liturgy on Saturday January 15, where a special prayer was offered for victims and volunteers, was attended by hundreds of parishioners, despite the devastation.

The State Attorney-General Cameron Dick and the Qld Shadow Treasurer Timothy Nichols also attended the service. The support of the Archbishop was also felt, Fr Tsakas said.

“The Archdiocesan national collection for the ‘Qld Flood Appeal’ brought a feeling of support from the Greek Orthodox of our nation.”

Following the immediate crisis phase, the church will now work with the “evolving story” to determine where they can best be of assistance, Fr Tsaskas said.

“Professional Social Workers from the parish have offered their services for trauma counselling and outreach. We are also considering a post crisis phase ‘adopt a family to look after’ project,” Fr Tsaskas said.

The disaster has “transformed” the Greek community, Fr Tsakas said.

“People opened their homes, gave of their food and drink, laboured in horrible conditions of mud, water, and stench, prayed, comforted the afflicted with soothing words of encouragement, and exceeded the limits of customary generosity in helping others,” he said.

“I am deeply humbled by the response of the Orthodox people of Brisbane who matched and added to that of the broader community. Never before have I felt so intensely proud to be Orthodox and Australian.”