Associated Press (AP) 15 September 2005, 01:32 (Brisbane, Australia)
EARTHQUAKE ROCKS IPSWICH
A major earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale has hit Australia
in the early hours of this morning, with the epicentre believed to be in
the South Eastern City of Ipswich. Victims were seen wandering around
aimlessly muttering, "F'kin 'ell" and "Whadda baaarst'd".
The earthquake has completely decimated the area, leaving a damage bill
expected to exceed more than A$3000. Several priceless collections,
including mementos from the Torana Appreciation Society and the Ipswich
Progress Hall, were destroyed in the quake. Three areas of historic
burnt out cars were disturbed. Many locals were woken well before their
welfare cheques arrived.
Brisbane radio reported that hundreds of residents were confused and
bewildered, still trying to come to terms with the fact that something
interesting had happened in the area. One resident - Tracy Sharon Smith,
a 15-year-old mother of 4 said, "It was such a shock, my little
Chardonnay Mercedes came running into my bedroom crying. My youngest
two, Tyler-Morgan and Levi-Storm slept through it all. I was still
shaking when I was watching Jerry Springer later in the morning".
The people of Ipswich are a resilient community and evidence of a full
recovery can already been seen, with looting, muggings and car crime
carrying on as normal.
The aid response from local charities has been swift. The Red Cross has
so far managed to ship 4,000 cases each of Bundy & Coke and PJ Durries
to the area to help the stricken locals. Rescue workers are still
searching through the rubble and have found large quantities of personal
belongings,which include Centrelink booklets, Bronco tee shirts, Acca
Dacca
cassettes, Holden HSV bedding covers, Priceline jewellery and fine bone
china from Bi-Lo.
The Red Cross seeks to raise money for food and clothing, to be
air-dropped as parcels for those unfortunate to be caught up in this
disaster. Donations of clothing are in demand. Items most needed include
baseball caps; tracksuit tops (his and hers); flannelette shirts
(female); footy socks; ugg boots; and any other items usually sold in
"Op" Shops.
Food parcels may be harder to come by, but are needed all the same.
Required foodstuffs include, Pluto Pups (Dagwood Dogs), doner kebabs,
McDonalds, KFC, ice cream and cans of UDL Bourbon and Coke; Passion Pop
and XXXX Bitter.
Charities are also accepting cash donations through any Liquorland
outlet.
$0.25 buys a ball point pen for filling in compensation forms; $5.00
buys chips, sausages, gherkins, crisps and blue fizzy drinks for a
family of nine; $10.00 will buy a packet of Winfield Blues 25s and a
lighter to calm the nerves of those affected.
Aid agencies have requested that no tents be sent into the affected
suburb, as the sight of high socio-economic housing is unfair on the
residents of neighbouring areas.
Hope this is the right section of the forum for this.