Our flood has taken many lives, given us scenes of horror we never thought we would see in small farming communities as the terrible waters tore down off the Toowoomba range and into the valley below, taking whole towns with it. The Brisbane River broke its banks and thousands of homes are flooded here. Today the waters began to recede and left stinking mud and ruined homes and possesions. However what we have gained is an incredible sense of community as neighbour helped neighbour and strangers came and cleaned houses for people they had never met before. We have a wonderful State Premier who rallied us all in the dark moments and we will all never be the same again in this state. My house is safe and dry though I was flooded as a child so I know the feeling. I count my blessings looking round my soggy yard and at the blue skies today. My heart goes out to Brazil.