Floods in Brisbane

Brisbane Floods – Jan 2011

MY FAVOURITE MEDIA MOMENT

Young couple returning to their home for their first visit after a raging river has just run through the middle of it, and it has been underwater up to the roof line for the previous three days. Their gasps of horror as each of the rooms are surveyed. Everywhere a massive jumble of furniture, beams, white goods, household appliances, books, clothes, treasures – all covered in layers of wet mud. Picking up and inspecting ruined valuables – pointing, hugging each other in shared grief at the spectacle before them. Every sad, tragic moment recorded by the accompanying news crew. The newswoman – perfectly made up – not a hair out of place – appropriately dressed down in designer jeans, spotless white T-shirt and gumboots. Her sympathetic ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ so sincere. Oh…the humanity!

They’re at the front door – it’s the end of the tour. The commentator tries, but can’t quite manage, an impression of tears – a sympathetic nod of the head – ‘Good luck – you know all of Australia feels your pain’. Etc, etc.

And.. the quintessential Australian comment, that just about sums up for me the will to survive:

Husband leans against the doorpost as if farewelling guests:

‘So – do you like what we’ve done to the house?’