Tigers players join others to help after QLD floods

[joe_s_magpies]

PLAYERS FLY OUT FOR FLOOD RELIEF EFFORTS
18/01/2011 7:57:30 AM
Wests Tigers have today sent a group of 23 people made up of players, former stars, and officials to Ipswich to offer their support to the Flood Relief efforts.

Fourteen of the party of 23 will consist of this year’s 2011 NRL squad. Former Balmain and Wests greats Arthur Beetson, Paul Sironen, Steve Roach and Noel Kelly will join Wests Tigers CEO Stephen Humphreys and Coach Tim Sheens on the trip.

On Tuesday afternoon, the group will assist in the cleanup of the Goodna and Brassall areas and later that day will also visit Ipswich’s two evacuation centres.

On Wednesday morning, members of the playing squad will have an open training session at Brothers Rugby League Club which will be followed by an autograph session for the kids as well as photo opportunities.

Wests Tigers players heading to Ipswich:

Robbie Farah
Tim Moltzen
Lote Tuqiri
Blake Ayshford
Chris Lawrence
Beau Ryan
Benji Marshall
Rob Lui
Liam Fulton
Mark Flanagan
Simon Dwyer
Keith Galloway
Mitch Brown
Aaron Woods

“We all very much feel for the people affected by these devastating floods. We hope to use our profile and our physical presence to help in any way we can with the clean up,’’ Humphreys said.

“We want the people of Ipswich to know that we are behind them and we hope our presence might help lift their spirits.”

Wests Tigers encourages supporters to donate to the Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal by ringing 1800 219 028 or by visiting major banks.

“All of the boys have been shocked by the devastation and of the images we have seen on television,’’ Farah said.

“We are really pleased to be able to help the people of Ipswich and we will do whatever work that needs to be done.”

Great Work Tigers.

 

[Guest]

One of the photos that has just rolled in…Lawrence, Blocker, Farah and Tuqiri in the background getting stuck in.

 

[redemption]

Great work boys!!

It's great to see Sirro, Blocker & Ned Kelly doing their bit as Wests/Tigers legends!

On a trivia (not trivial) note - I believe that all the players who went (aside from Lote) do not have young children of their own (yet in Lui's case)!

 

[redemption]

**Stars dig in to help flood victims clean up**

Chris Barrett - SMH
January 19, 2011

LOTE TUQIRI, a proud Queenslander, had expected the worst but there was no preparing the dual international for witnessing first-hand the destruction caused by flooding in his home state.

''I've never been on the set of a big movie,'' the Wests Tigers winger said from Goodna. ''But as we were walking around I thought 'It might be a bit like this, being on a blockbuster film … the carnage, the military, everything'. It's just unbelievable.''

Tuqiri and a host of Tigers - including star playmakers Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah, and coach Tim Sheens - spent yesterday lending a helping hand in the flood-ravaged suburb west of Brisbane. They cleaned up backyards, lifted heavy debris, dug through endless mud and ripped down ruined walls of homes.

They were not alone. Players and staff from three other Sydney NRL clubs - Parramatta, Canterbury and Penrith - also launched into the first of their two-day initiatives in the region.

The Eels - including Nathan Hindmarsh, Daniel Mortimer, Chris Walker, Matt Keating, Carl Webb, Casey McGuire and coach Stephen Kearney - were also at Goodna, throwing themselves into physical work as gruelling as any pre-season training.

Nearby, in the outer Ipswich suburb of Karalee, a contingent of Panthers called in on a devastated local league club, removed furniture from gutted houses and visited evacuation centres. Among them were Petero Civoniceva, Trent Waterhouse, Michael Jennings, Tim Grant, Kevin Kingston, Matt Bell, Travis Burns and coach Matthew Elliott.

The Bulldogs - including Michael Ennis, Ben Barba, Gary Warburton, Michael Hodgson and David Stagg and club greats Terry Lamb and Hazem El Masri - landed further west, utilising sponsor Gary Johnston's private plane to visit the heavily hit Lockyer Valley towns of Grantham, Murphy's Creek and Gatton.

On Monday, Brisbane great Allan Langer led a group of Broncos to assist the clean-up in his home city of Ipswich, where the entire Gold Coast Titans first-grade squad was also engaged in the recovery.

Tuqiri, flanked yesterday at Goodna by teammates Marshall, Farah, Tim Moltzen, Blake Ayshford, Chris Lawrence, Beau Ryan, Rob Lui, Liam Fulton, Mark Flanagan, Simon Dwyer, Keith Galloway and Mitch Brown, said the Tigers were simply happy to ''chip in where we can''.

''You just feel for the people. I've got a few family and friends up here who have suffered a fair bit … lost houses and businesses,'' he said. ''But they've got their health and that's the most important thing. Queensland people are strong, they are bred tough and they're quite resilient.''

Tuqiri, 31, is predicting the tragedy to provide even greater motivation for Queensland in this year's State of Origin contest, a series he is hoping to play a part in for the first time since his return to the NRL last year. ''Not that Queensland don't have a lot to play for normally,'' he said.

''Having played Origin for Queensland we knew we were representing everyone from Cape York to the border at Tweed … this is just going to intensity those feelings.''

Another Queenslander playing in Sydney, the young Bulldogs livewire Barba, said he was stunned at degree of damage as the touring Canterbury group attempted to lift spirits in the Lockyer Valley. ''It's something you wouldn't wish on anyone,'' said Barba from Gatton, where the Bulldogs were last night visiting an evacuation centre. ''We drove through the outskirts of Grantham and seeing some of the destruction from the outside - it's devastating.'' Meanwhile, the playing surface at Suncorp Stadium, which was covered in two metres of water last week, should be ready for use in three weeks. However, the support structure of the ground such as dressing rooms, lifts, switchboards, wiring and television cabling may all need replacing, says Queensland sports minister Phil Reeves.

with Phil Lutton

 

[Spartan117]

Proud to be a Tiger - Well done guys, Well done club

 

[Discussion_Bot]

Lote Tuqiri, a proud Queenslander, had expected the worst but there was no preparing the dual international for witnessing first-hand the destruction caused by flooding in his home state.

''I've never been on the set of a big movie,'' the Wests Tigers winger said from Goodna. ''But as we were walking around I thought 'It might be a bit like this, being on a blockbuster film … the carnage, the military, everything'. It's just unbelievable.''

Tuqiri and a host of Tigers - including star playmakers Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah, and coach Tim Sheens - spent yesterday lending a helping hand in the flood-ravaged suburb west of Brisbane. They cleaned up backyards, lifted heavy debris, dug through endless mud and ripped down ruined walls of homes.
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They were not alone. Players and staff from three other Sydney NRL clubs - Parramatta, Canterbury and Penrith - also launched into the first of their two-day initiatives in the region.

The Eels - including Nathan Hindmarsh, Daniel Mortimer, Chris Walker, Matt Keating, Carl Webb, Casey McGuire and coach Stephen Kearney - were also at Goodna, throwing themselves into physical work as gruelling as any pre-season training.

Nearby, in the outer Ipswich suburb of Karalee, a contingent of Panthers called in on a devastated local league club, removed furniture from gutted houses and visited evacuation centres. Among them were Petero Civoniceva, Trent Waterhouse, Michael Jennings, Tim Grant, Kevin Kingston, Matt Bell, Travis Burns and coach Matthew Elliott.

The Bulldogs - including Michael Ennis, Ben Barba, Gary Warburton, Michael Hodgson and David Stagg and club greats Terry Lamb and Hazem El Masri - landed further west, utilising sponsor Gary Johnston's private plane to visit the heavily hit Lockyer Valley towns of Grantham, Murphy's Creek and Gatton.

On Monday, Brisbane great Allan Langer led a group of Broncos to assist the clean-up in his home city of Ipswich, where the entire Gold Coast Titans first-grade squad was also engaged in the recovery.

Tuqiri, flanked yesterday at Goodna by teammates Marshall, Farah, Tim Moltzen, Blake Ayshford, Chris Lawrence, Beau Ryan, Rob Lui, Liam Fulton, Mark Flanagan, Simon Dwyer, Keith Galloway and Mitch Brown, said the Tigers were simply happy to ''chip in where we can''.

''You just feel for the people. I've got a few family and friends up here who have suffered a fair bit … lost houses and businesses,'' he said. ''But they've got their health and that's the most important thing. Queensland people are strong, they are bred tough and they're quite resilient.''

Tuqiri, 31, is predicting the tragedy to provide even greater motivation for Queensland in this year's State of Origin contest, a series he is hoping to play a part in for the first time since his return to the NRL last year. ''Not that Queensland don't have a lot to play for normally,'' he said.

''Having played Origin for Queensland we knew we were representing everyone from Cape York to the border at Tweed … this is just going to intensity those feelings.''

Another Queenslander playing in Sydney, the young Bulldogs livewire Barba, said he was stunned at degree of damage as the touring Canterbury group attempted to lift spirits in the Lockyer Valley. ''It's something you wouldn't wish on anyone,'' said Barba from Gatton, where the Bulldogs were last night visiting an evacuation centre. ''We drove through the outskirts of Grantham and seeing some of the destruction from the outside - it's devastating.'' Meanwhile, the playing surface at Suncorp Stadium, which was covered in two metres of water last week, should be ready for use in three weeks. However, the support structure of the ground such as dressing rooms, lifts, switchboards, wiring and television cabling may all need replacing, says Queensland sports minister Phil Reeves.

By Chris Barrett

[Source](http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/stars-dig-in-to-help-flood-victims-clean-up-20110118-19vds.html)

 

[stryker]

Great stuff from not only our boys but all NRL players involved.

 

[Guest]

Another couple of photos of the Tigers helping out:

 

[everett]

Well done to all the boys from the NRL assisting with the flood recovery. Proud to be a Wests Tigers fan.

 

[Knuckles]

Can't see Manly in there lending a hand ….... isn't it amazing in the time of crisis, its the Westies that come good.
Penrith, WT, Parra and Cby ............ congratulations to all concerned.

 

[Blackpearl]

good pic of keef and the rest of the boys, there was also a good pic of benji in todays herald helping out too. this is sort of stuff that the nrl needs to promote about the good things in league and aussie mateship. makes you proud to be a supporter of the weststigers, best team in footy and australian !

 

[Guest]

PLAYERS DIG DEEP TO HELP FLOOD VICTIMS
19/01/2011 1:08:06 PM

Wests Tigers CEO Stephen Humphreys has given an insight into the work the players and officials did at Goodna on Tuesday as part of the club’s trip to Ipswich to help victims of the devastating floods.

Fourteen of the party of 23 consisted of this year’s 2011 NRL squad. Former Balmain and Wests greats Paul Sironen, Steve Roach and Noel Kelly joined Humphreys and Coach Tim Sheens on the trip.

The group of 23 arrived in Goodna around 10.30am at Goodna Rugby League Club where Western Suburbs Magpies legend Noel Kelly played all of his junior Rugby League.

After putting on boots and gloves and with shovels and wheelbarrows in hand, the players were split into two groups where they were taken to houses and buildings by Ipswich Council representatives where they knew people needed help.

One group went down the main road to work in a backyard and the other went to a gym/youth club. The work consisted of using shovels to pick up excess water or mud and then sticking it in a wheelbarrow which was then dumped somewhere dry.

Humphreys said the players were very busy picking up materials and even helped a local move his bogged car.

“It was hard to fathom but we worked in a yard of one resident. It was a two story place. We helped clear excess mud and he told us that the water level went higher than the roof at one stage,’’ Humphreys said.

Following three hours of hard work, the group returned to Goodna RLFC before visiting an evacuation centre to meet with those who were affected quite badly.

“All the guys talked with people, posed for photos and just showed that we cared,’’ Humphreys said.

“We were all chatting separately to different groups of people who were scattered across a pretty big room having dinner. It was hard to listen to some of their stories regarding their harrowing experiences. Some people had lost everything.”

Upon leaving the evacuation centre, the group arrived at North Tigers Rugby League Club. Eleven of the 13 junior rugby league clubs were affected by the floods but the Tigers were one of the worst.

“Their clubhouse was under water last week but their cleanup efforts have been well underway now,’’ Humphreys said.

“Water has gone and we were able to walk through a pretty bare clubhouse where some power had been restored. A lot of the power points were badly damaged and will take weeks to be repaired given all the other work required.

“Robbie Farah presented their Club president with a signed jersey before the players signed autographs and photos.

“It was a very exhausting day but rewarding in that we were able to help so many people.”

 

[fainty]

I love what Benji said when interviewed on FOX SPORTS NEWS. I think they said something to him about all the germs and how alot of people were getting sick from the sludge, benji's reply was "I dont care if i get sick, aslong as I can help"

 

[Deano1]

I love what Benji said when interviewed on FOX SPORTS NEWS. I think they said something to him about all the germs and how alot of people were getting sick from the sludge, benji's reply was "I dont care if i get sick, aslong as I can help"

That'll do me. What a great response! That's why we all love him, he's a class act on and off the field. :master:

 

[alien]

I hope none of them get sick.

<big>Fear over mystery infection</big>
Suellen Hinde From: The Sunday Mail (Qld) January 16, 2011 12:00AM


SAFE SIDE: Daryl Sturgess is vaccinated for tetanus by Liz Smith, watched by Dr Greg Smith.
Picture: Craig Greenhill Source: The Sunday Mail (Qld)
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FIVE patients are being treated in Queensland hospitals for a mystery infectious disease believed to be flood-related.
The news comes as concern mounts for thousands of people cleaning up after the floods and exposing themselves to bacteria and viruses.

Queensland Health has confirmed the patients have been tested for a range of diseases, including melioidosis and some flaviviruses such as kunjin virus and encephalitis.

One of the patients was transported to Brisbane after he became seriously ill.

Melioidosis is an infectious disease caused by a bacteria found in soil, mud and water and is brought out by intense rainfall. It can be fatal or cause loss of limbs.

People become infected through a break in the skin or inhaling the bacterium - presenting initially with a fever, cough and chest pain that can develop into pneumonia.

Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
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Usually melioidosis occurs only in tropical climates but the last case in Brisbane was after the 1974 floods.

Drug treatments for melioidosis have been given to some of the five patients of whom four are in Rockhampton and one is being treated in Brisbane after visiting Rockhampton.

"We have five cases of people who were involved in the floods in the Rockhampton, Theodore, Moura area who have developed infections of some sort," Queensland's Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said yesterday.

"We don't know what it is, we are still waiting on results from those tests."

Dr Young said doctors were "doing a whole herd of tests" to diagnose the disease.

She said she was extremely concerned about infection after seeing many people walking in flood waters and mud without proper protection.

"I am worried about people getting staphylococcal infections," she said.

"Staph is in the water. If people can avoid going into it, they should.

"People will get cuts from debris and they will have staph and strep infections because of the bacteria in the water."

The news comes as Queensland Health came under fire from the federal Opposition spokesman on regional health services, Andrew Laming, for its "slow response" and "misinformation" regarding the flood emergency.

Dr Laming said Queensland Health had been providing conflicting advice to people since December 29 and some of it was wrong.

"The advice they are giving for tainted food is more suited to temperate climates than midsummer, sub-tropical conditions," he said.

"The public health message at this point has been inadequate. If it turns out we have significant bacterial infections then this needs to be managed better."

Meanwhile, a warning has been issued to GPs by their peak body that up to 70 per cent of people associated with Queensland floods are expected to become sick - either physically or mentally.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/sunday-mail/fear-over-mystery-infection/story-e6frep2f-1225988489482" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[fainty]

Tigers provide wave of hope after floods
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Laine Clark AAP Wed, 19 Jan 2011 18:42:44
It was not quite the pre-season bonding experience Beau Ryan had in mind.

But he reckons the Wests Tigers' clean-up work for flood victims will not only make the stricken Queensland communities stronger in 2011 - but also his NRL team.

Residents at Goodna, west of Brisbane, would have been forgiven for looking twice as Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens led an NRL-inspired clean-up in the area.

Part of a 23-strong Wests Tigers contingent, the 60-year-old Sheens was the first to get stuck in along with the likes of Benji Marshall, Robbie Farah and ex-Tigers and Magpies greats Noel Kelly, Paul Sironen, Artie Beetson and Steve Roach.

In poignant scenes, Kelly helped clean up at the street named after him which led to the completely ruined Goodna Eagles Rugby League Club.

Looking around, Ryan was touched by the community spirit shown by the locals as he **"worked the wheelbarrow with Benji Marshall on the shovel".**

"We are doing everything and anything we can to help," he told AAP.

"We saw the photos and footage of it on TV but nothing can really prepare you when you arrive - you just can't understand the sheer scale of it."

While gutted by the devastation surrounding him, Ryan reckoned the Wests Tigers' work would provide benefits for not only the locals but also the club.

"Of course this is about helping people get their lives back together - the community here has been ravaged," he said.

"But I think it also brings the team together.

"I am working the wheelbarrow while Benji shovels.

"That sort of thing - working side by side - only helps build team spirit.

"We were already a tight knit team but when you see not only the coach but the club CEO (Stephen Humphreys) rolling up their sleeves near you, you can't help but put in."

Wests Tigers completed their two-day visit of the ravaged area with an open training session at Ipswich's Brothers Rugby League Club on Wednesday following an autograph session for the kids.

Another three NRL clubs also completed two-day initiatives on Wednesday - Parramatta, Canterbury and Penrith.

The Eels also worked at Goodna while the Panthers helped out at Karalee, near Ipswich, and the Bulldogs went further west to the devastated Lockyer Valley towns of Grantham, Murphy's Creek and Gatton.

Their efforts came after the entire Gold Coast Titans squad helped clean up at Goodna on Monday.

More Sydney clubs will make flying visits, while the Broncos have their players on a weekly roster system for the next month.

"Hopefully, if we give a helping hand, and the locals can meet their idols like Benji Marshall, hopefully that can also help lift spirits," Ryan said of the NRL-inspired flood assistance initiative.
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**"worked the wheelbarrow with Benji Marshall on the shovel".**

Who was pushing the Farah wheelbarah??? :laughing: Great stuff boys!

 

[Guest]

AYSHFORD: "IT WAS A REAL EYE OPENER"
By Nathan Ross
19/01/2011 8:30:00 PM

Wests Tigers centre Blake Ayshford says the last two days of cleaning up flood damage has been a "real eye opener" for him and his 13 team-mates.

The group were out and about again today in an effort to lift the spirits of some locals in the small suburb of Booval, an area severely affected by the recent floods.

On David Street, piles and piles of rubble consisting of broken washing machines, toilets, clothing, cabinets and personal belongings were set aside on the road as volunteers and workers tried to pick up the pieces.

"We just could not believe the devastation," Ayshford said.

"You can't describe it to anyone unless you've seen it.”

Wests Tigers players did their best to try and raise the spirits of the locals by saying hello and showing their support. Some of the stories told were shocking and Ayshford admitted that there was a long road ahead for the people of Booval.

"I just hope that our presence there today made some difference to the people we met,’’ Ayshford said.

The group were later taken to the Ipswich Council Crisis Centre where they were given a run down on the actions plans in place for natural disasters such as these. Council reps indicated that a large portion of the homes in Booval were uninsurable given their propensity to flooding.

To date, Ipswich Council have reported that more than 10,000 tonnes of debris caused by the floods has already been cleaned up by authorities and its estimated that this will reach 30,000 tonnes over the next month or so.

Earlier in the day, the condensed squad had a light training run at the Ipswich Brothers Oval in front of more than 100 locals. After the session, the players happily posed for photographs and sign autographs for their fans. Kids were also put through their paces in a small coaching clinic that some of the players took part in.

The Wests Tigers group touched down in Sydney earlier this evening and will now focus on their preparations for the 2011 season. However, the players will hold that experience close to their hearts and have all vowed to do their bit to keep supporting those who have suffered terribly in the last few weeks.

"I know that we'll be doing everything we can to help support the flood relief efforts in the days and weeks to come," Ayshford added.

 

[Guest]

MARSHALL AND RYAN INSPIRED BY FLOOD VICTIMS
By Wayne Cousins
21/01/2011 5:40:49 PM

The spirit of the Queensland people and their ability to unite proved to be an inspiration to Wests Tigers players Benji Marshall and Beau Ryan during their two day trip to Ipswich.

Current players, officials and former Balmain and Western Suburbs greats were a part of the 25 man Wests Tigers squad that helped clean up the mess in the town of Goodna.

Marshall said the damage caused by the devastating floods had left a lasting impression on him.

“You can’t really describe it unless you see it for yourself. Television footage makes it look bad but when you see it in real life, it is a lot worse than what the TV makes it out to be,’’ Marshall said.

“We saw people inside their empty homes having to strip out walls and rebuild their houses from scratch. It is very disturbing when you see the amount of property people have had to throw away.

“We went around and knocked on people’s doors to see if they needed help. No one complained about the humid conditions. We just got in and did the work. We could have been in Sydney kicking back and doing nothing.

“Everyone was pretty thankful for the work we did and said it was good that Wests Tigers could be there. At the end of the day, for us it is not about getting publicity or trying to look good, it is about helping other people.”

Ryan said his team-mates were in shock upon seeing the damage for the first time.

“It was a real eerie feeling. All the houses were absolutely gutted and there is just devastation everywhere,’’ Ryan said.

“There were boats up in trees, houses that basically looked like shells and people’s belongings were out on the road. It was just tragic.

“The people there have really banded together. Everywhere you look, there is someone offering help. If people are not cleaning up, there are people making fresh sandwiches and offering cold drinks.

“Ninety five per cent of the people working are volunteers. Everyone was in good spirits.

“In terms of natural disasters and the amount of people affected, it is the most devastating thing I have ever seen.”