The Queensland flood disaster that unfolded 12 months ago stunned the nation. Thirty five people died, thousands were made homeless and the economic fallout runs into the billions.
Now former idol contestants have rallied together to urge Australians to remember the disaster and dig deep to help those still struggling to rebuild their lives.
More than seventy of the talented singers have signed up to a Facebook group committed to aiding the recovery effort. They hope to reunite and perform a televised Idol reunion to raise money for the flood victims.
“It seems like people have begun to forget,” says former Scarlett Belle pop star Reigan Derry, 23. “I think it is important to think of the Queensland floods in relation to the Victorian bushfires, the clean-up and the reconstruction process is very slow. The trauma lingers long after the media turns away.”
Andrew “Stretch” Madden, 36, and Cosima De Vito, 34, have pledged their full support to the cause.
“I think it has been astonishing to see how the crisis has disappeared from the public consciousness,” Cosima says. “I reckon an Idol Reunion or relief concert would be a great way to direct public attention back to Queensland.”
For Emily Williams, 27, Mark Da Costa, 33 and Paulini Curuenavuli, 29, the floods hit close to home. The Idol favourites have family in Queensland, but luckily they all escaped unharmed.
“Most of my family live up there,” explains Emily. “Although their houses were under water, they were pretty lucky and survived.”
Paulini got a firsthand account of the devastation from her aunties who live in the region. “I tried to put myself in their position, and I’d be devastated. It reminds us how lucky we are.”
Other former Idols Lee Harding, 28 and Luke Dickens, 29, want to use their Idol status to ensure that now a year on, the flood victims aren’t forgotten.
“One of the bonuses of being in the music industry is the ability to get involved in charity events that can really make a difference,” smiles Luke.
“Everyone got to a certain point in the show because of the fans and if some want to raise funds for a worthy cause and see their favourite Idol on TV, I think that is great!”
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