Thursday, December 30, 2010

Queensland floods, Camporee floats

While reports of flooding throughout much of Queensland dominate news reports in Australia, preparations for the Australian Pathfinder Camporee in Toowoomba are proceeding well.

“We’re going great guns,” says Pastor Tony Knight, director of youth ministries for the Australian Union Conference and director of the camporee. “Set-up is going brilliantly so I’m quietly confident that we’ll do OK despite all the rain earlier in the week.”

Toowoomba received more than 100 millimetres of rain on December 26 and 27 as part of the wider deluge that has caused the evacuation of towns, cut roads and dampened holidays across the “Sunshine State.” Some staff travelling to the camporee site were delayed or diverted but most roads have now re-opened and the sun has been shining on the camporee preparations.

“Some have been asking if Camporee has been cancelled because of the rain and floods, and some have even Facebooked the idea that it has been cancelled,” reports Pastor Knight. “But everything is going well and we’re powering on, and there is no possibility of a cancellation.”

Most staff are now on site in Toowoomba and preparations are well underway for the Australian Pathfinder Camporee beginning on January 4.