WA Flood Relief Concert

January 18, 2011
by Rodney Olsen
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The WA Flood Relief Concert starts at 7:00 p.m. this Tuesday the 25th January at the Burswood Theatre.

Tod Johnston will be performing with both V Capri and Peace Love. Also performing will be Courtney Murphy and Murphy’s Lore, Damien Cripps Band, Magnificent 7, Groove Night Avenue, Juliet’s Diary, Dave Crosby and more.

You can hear Tod Johnston talking about the concert and those who will benefit by clicking the play button on the audio player below.

Everyone involved is donating their time and talents to raise money for the Queensland Flood Appeal as well as helping the victims of the Gascoyne floods and Lake Clifton bushfires.

Tickets are $40 or $45 and available now from Ticketek, or at the door on the night.

[audio:http://mpegmedia.sonshinefm.ws/feeds/MOR190111_1044.mp3]

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Let Them Eat Cake

January 18, 2011
by Rodney Olsen
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2011 has started in Australia with floods and fires from one end of our massive country to the other. Lives have been lost, homes have been destroyed and communities have been thrown into chaos.

The hardest hit state has been Queensland which has seen massive destruction.

Among those trying to lend a hand at a time of great need is the Uniting Church community from Western Australia. Cupcakes of Love is an opportunity for the people of Perth to share some love with those who have lost so much.

From 8:30 a.m. until noon this Thursday, Uniting Church members plan to sell home baked cakes at a street stall outside Wesley Uniting Church, on the corner of Hay and William Streets to raise funds for flood victims.

I’ll be there to lend a hand by broadcasting my 98.5 Sonshine FM morning radio programme in the city. If you’ll be in Perth this Thursday please head to the corner of Hay and William Streets to say hello and to buy a cupcake or two.

Andy Corkill, Mission Development Officer for the Uniting Church in the City, came up with the Cupcakes of Love idea.

Obviously we can’t send the cupcakes all the way to Queensland, but we can ask the people of Perth to buy a cupcake in solidarity with our fellow Australians who have been affected by these terrible floods.

If you’re not in the Perth area, remember that wherever you are in the world, if you’d like to help you can visit the Queensland Flood Appeal website.



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Brisbane Braces for Floods

January 12, 2011
by Rodney Olsen
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Although it’s not even two weeks old, 2011 is a year that will be remembered for the devastating floods covering much of Queensland and now threatening other areas of Australia. Hundreds of thousands of people will be directly affected with many years of rebuilding ahead.

It’s extremely difficult to come to terms with the magnitude of the disaster and experts are saying that there’s a lot more on the way. Queensland’s capital is bracing for the rising Brisbane River to flood around 20 000 properties in 50 suburbs with thousands expected to seek emergency accommodation.

During my morning radio program on 98.5 Sonshine FM today I spoke to Liam Renton from one of our sister stations, Brisbane’s 96five. As we talked he was standing just metres away from the swollen Brisbane River, watching the flood waters increasing.

You can hear our five minute conversation by clicking the play button on the audio player below.

Do you know anyone affected by the floods? Have you lost a home or loved ones to a natural disaster like these floods? I’d appreciate your comments.

Wherever you are in the world, if you’d like to help you can visit the Queensland Flood Appeal website.

[audio:http://mpegmedia.sonshinefm.ws/feeds/MOR011211_1027.mp3]

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Amateur Video Shows Flood Devastation

January 11, 2011
by Rodney Olsen
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2011 hasn’t started well in many parts of Australia. Not even two weeks in and it’s been a fairly wild start to the new year.

Here in Western Australia we’re dealing with destructive fire in our south and floods in our north.

Across the country in Queensland the devastating floods continue. The vision coming out of Toowoomba is astounding.

Check out the amateur video above as a couple of people capture the storm waters swelling and dragging car after car out of a car park and sending them down what moments earlier was just a small creek. At this time, eight people are dead and dozens are missing in that part of Queensland. It’s hard to get your head around the scale of the devastation.

The floods have not yet reached their peak and thousands of people are still being evacuated as the scale of the disaster grows.



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A Wild Ride

May 26, 2009
by Rodney Olsen
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pathclosed.jpgI had some fairly wild rides to and from work last week. We had a few days of wet and windy weather with fences, trees and branches coming down across Perth.

On Friday the wind was determined to make it a very slow commute. I didn’t see the regular crowd of cyclists and walkers out and about. That should have been a clue. On the way home on Thursday I had to cycle through water over half way up my wheels when I went through the Causeway underpass. I thought I’d avoid it on Friday but I didn’t even get close.

There’s a section of cycleway near Windan Bridge beside the Burswood Golf Course that can get a little soggy. On Friday morning I came around the corner to see the river extending right across the pathway and into the golf course. Another cyclist had chosen to carry his bike and wade through. He was up to his knees towards the other end of the stretch so I imagine it was a lot deeper in other parts.

Another cyclist turned up behind me and we both decided it was time to change the route for the morning. I backtracked across the bridge, headed through East Perth and finally made it to work. I’m so glad I’ve got a hot shower and dry clothes at work.

On the way home I thought I’d visit the Causeway underpass. I knew I wouldn’t be able to get through but I thought I’d see how much further the water had risen. As you can see in the photo, riding through wasn’t an option this time.

More detours and and a bit more pushing into the wind and rain and I was home for the weekend.



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