In February 2025, North and Far North Queensland experienced extended intense rainfall, which resulted in devastating flooding. Many households were forced to evacuate, electricity outages were widespread, roads were cut, and there was extensive damage to businesses and public infrastructure.
A number of local government areas (LGAs) were impacted, with the communities of Ingham, Cardwell and Townsville particularly affected. Hundreds of homes were inundated, and people and families impacted faced the daunting task of repairing their damaged homes and replacing their possessions.
How your generosity is making an impact
In early February, GIVIT was activated by the Queensland Government to set up an appeal for donations. Communications then went out about GIVIT’s role in recovery, encouraging responsible giving through the GIVIT platform. This helped ensure only requested items would enter impact regions, to enable a genuinely helpful response for residents in their immediate recovery. Our big-hearted community of donors and supporters was extremely generous, which enabled us to mobilise quickly.
GIVIT has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars at local businesses operating across Ingham, Cardwell, Tully, Ayr and Townsville. Purchasing goods and services locally supports local jobs and livelihoods, and accelerates the recovery of the impacted region’s economy.
GIVIT's Christina and Temiah with Premier David Crisafulli. The Queensland Government donated $500,000 towards flood recovery.
Here's what we've achieved so far
GIVIT QLD Manager Nick with Hinchinbrook Shire Council Deputy Mayor Councillor Mary Brown and council Community Recovery Officer Jane.
Keeping the elements out
In Hinchinbrook, a single mum caring for her three children and her elderly father had been recovering after their possessions were destroyed by mould caused by the floodwaters. Their overgrown yard was attracting snakes and vermin, and their back door wasn’t functioning due to flood damage, leaving their home open to critters, the weather, and more mould.
Thanks to generous donors, GIVIT covered the cost of a new door and garden maintenance to help this family get back on their feet.
“In my role as Chair of the Hinchinbrook Recovery Group, I have been involved with the engagement of GIVIT to manage the many offers of donation and the subsequent distribution of support, to our entire community. The floods of February 2025 resulted in some of the most significant weather event impacts that the Hinchinbrook community has experienced in many decades. The scale of the event was such that very few people in the community were not impacted, resulting in very significant response and recovery management undertakings...
...I have spoken to numerous business owners who have complimented the GIVIT processes and shared their appreciation of the economic support, during a very challenging period. I have also spoken to extremely grateful recipients of vouchers to purchase goods, after had lost so much during this event. They have expressed their humble gratitude to be provided with this assistance that will help them move forward to rebuild their lives.
On behalf of the Hinchinbrook community, I extend my absolute appreciation to the GIVIT team and the generous donors who contribute so much to providing a support services to communities during times when they need a hand up, to rebuild their lives. Your contributions make a very real and meaningful difference to the lives of so many and this does not go unnoticed. Thank you.”
- Councillor Mary Brown, Deputy Mayor, Hinchinbrook Shire Council
Helping a brave mum start over
Thanks to the generosity of GIVIT donors a young family, reeling from the floods and preparing to welcome a second baby, received the support they desperately needed.
With their belongings destroyed and finances stretched thin, GIVIT provided appliances, whitegoods, furniture, baby items and clothing lifting an enormous weight from their shoulders. These essentials helped them rebuild a safe, stable home for their toddler and their soon‑to‑arrive newborn.
GIVIT founder Juliette Wright OAM joined Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of Australia, for morning tea at NOTCH to see firsthand the impact of this generous support, and reflect on the recovery journey in the region.
Community recovery through collaboration
Neighbourhood centres like North Townsville Community Hub (NOTCH) play a vital role in supporting their community to recover, and GIVIT’s generous donor community helped NOTCH provide essential items that kept their food and emergency relief programs running. As recovery progressed, GIVIT also provide flood-impacted families with furniture, appliances and whitegoods as they moved back into their new homes.
Here are some of the thank messages shared by donation recipients:
- “Our family couldn’t have survived without this.”
- “The support I got was bloody good and beyond my imagination.”
- “The vouchers for furniture were a lifesaver and have helped immensely.”
- “So grateful to receive this life-changing support.”
Providing spray to prevent mosquito-borne diseases
In the aftermath of a disaster, stagnant floodwaters create the perfect conditions for mosquitoes to thrive - and with them comes a heightened risk of mosquito‑borne disease. Recognising this urgent health concern, we acted quickly to support affected North Queensland communities.
Through the generosity of a corporate donor, GIVIT supplied mosquito repellent to NOTCH. From there, it was distributed via Bluewater State School to local families, helping protect children and parents during a vulnerable time.
This simple but essential support played a vital role in reducing the risk of illness and keeping communities safer as they began the long process of recovery.
Words from a grateful recipient
“I never imagined I’d be standing in the ruins of my rental home, watching years of memories float down the street. The 2025 Ingham floods took more than just things - they shook our sense of safety and normality. When the waters receded, I was left with a kitchen full of mud, a fridge that wouldn’t close, and a washing machine that wouldn’t spin and furniture damaged. I felt overwhelmed and honestly didn’t know where to begin.
Then someone told me about GIVIT. I reached out, thinking maybe they could help - but I had no idea just how much of a difference that support would make. Within weeks, I received vouchers that covered essential white goods I desperately needed. I replaced my fridge, my washing machine, my dryer, my bed, and even got a microwave so I could cook once again.
We were evacuated and had to then move to Townsville until our home was repaired, in which saw us move back in early December.
Those vouchers didn’t just replace broken appliances - they helped rebuild our day-to-day life. Being able to open a fridge full of food and wash clothes for the first time in weeks brought back a sense of normal I didn’t think I’d feel again so soon.
Thank you, GIVIT, for helping us get back on our feet. Your support came at a time when we needed it the most - and we’re so grateful.”
What goes around, comes around
Thanks to Officeworks, GIVIT provided Ingham State High School with scientific calculators and other stationery items to help them return to learning after the floods. Thanks to the generosity of our public donors, we also helped several students whose homes were flooded by providing replacement beds and mattresses.
Fast forward to June, these incredible students ran 3,081 laps of their school oval - that’s 1,232kms - in a Relay for Resilience. They raised nearly $3,000, which they chose to donate back to GIVIT to help others in need.
This is the heart of community: receiving support in tough times, then turning around and lifting others up. We’re so proud to be part of this beautiful cycle of giving.
Standing with North Queensland for the long road ahead
North Queenslanders are incredibly resilient, but recovery from a disaster of this scale takes time. GIVIT will continue supporting communities for as long as we’re needed, ensuring help reaches the people who need it most.
Thank you to every donor whose generosity makes this ongoing recovery possible.
National Disaster and Emergency Partners
Donate goods & services to people impacted by the North and Far North Queensland floods
Here are some of the real items urgently needed right now by people impacted by the North and Far North Queensland floods
