When Tropical Cyclone Jasper tore through Far North Queensland in late 2023, the small, discreet Indigenous community of Wujal Wujal was devastated. Floodwaters inundated most homes and public buildings. Residents were evacuated to Cooktown and Cairns - taken off Country, away from their land, their routines, and their community.
But even in those first difficult days, there was a clear goal shared by everyone involved: get Wujal Wujal residents home, as quickly and safely as possible.
The Queensland Government activated GIVIT as the official donation channel, ensuring that essential goods and services would reach those who needed them most. Over the months that followed, more than 8,000 items were provided by GIVIT to impacted communities - with a major focus on supporting the people of Wujal Wujal through a recovery that was led by the community itself.
Flooding in Wujal Wujal. Image credit: Desmond Taley.
Respecting culture, listening first
GIVIT worked alongside the Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council, Cape York Partnership, Cooktown District Community Centre, two State Government departments, and the local Council - all collaborating under the Wujal Wujal Housing Return Working Group.
Elders were kept informed at every stage, in recognition of the cultural significance of being on Country. GIVIT's hybrid engagement model combined regular in-person visits with virtual coordination, ensuring recovery efforts were connected and responsive.
As Aunty Audrey and Iris from Cape York Partnership shared:
“A lot of flood victims lost everything… We thought they were going to move into homes with nothing. Then GIVIT came in and said, ‘We’re here, and we’d like to help. This is what we can do.’ We couldn’t have helped on this scale without them.”
Aunty Audrey Doomal of Cape York Partnership with GIVIT's Temiah Bond.
From empty houses to fully equipped homes
The six-month recovery plan set out to not only restore housing but improve living conditions beyond pre-disaster standards. Together, we helped re-furnish 96 social houses, supplying essential household items so families could settle back in comfortably.
Every household received:
-
A new mattress and bed frame
-
Bed linen and kitchen essentials in ‘Welcome Home’ packs
-
A washing machine and fridge
-
Grocery vouchers to help restock pantries
In total, GIVIT facilitated 8,870 goods and services for Wujal Wujal, including:
-
109 fridges
-
96 washing machines
-
330 bed linen packages
-
444 kitchen essential packs
-
Around 800 grocery vouchers
We also helped establish a community laundry, installing two commercial washing machines and dryers to serve residents well into the future.
The power of collaboration
GIVIT’s role was to make it easy for partner organisations to get exactly what was needed, when it was needed -and nothing that wasn’t.
GIVIT's online platform matched donor offers, from both individuals and corporations, with specific requests lodged by local councils, charities, and community groups. This prevented the common problem of being overwhelmed by unwanted donations, freeing up local agencies to focus on emotional, social, and practical recovery work.
The project’s success relied heavily on partnership. The Local Government Association of Queensland’s Council 2 Council program meant that larger councils, like Ipswich and Western Downs, could share expertise and advocate for the GIVIT model. Their endorsement built trust with smaller Local Government Areas (LGAs) like Wujal Wujal, paving the way for fast, coordinated action.
Melissa Dower from Ipswich City Council summed it up:
“I have personally witnessed the continuous impact GIVIT has on communities… It was no surprise to see them in FNQ on the ground creating real impact for the long road ahead.”
Building resilience for the future
The Wujal Wujal Flood Recovery Project wasn’t just about replacing what was lost - it was about strengthening the community for whatever challenges may come next.
GIVIT's platform data allowed recovery partners to track support in real time, showing exactly which needs were being met, where gaps remained, and how resources were being used. This insight helps government and local agencies plan better for future disasters, and it’s shaping the way GIVIT will respond to other events across Australia.
Lessons learned from Wujal Wujal were fed into the Queensland Office of the Inspector-General of Emergency Management’s review of the 2023–2024 Severe Weather Season. The goal: better outcomes, faster recovery, and stronger resilience for all communities.
A community returned, a spirit restored
Within six months of Cyclone Jasper, Wujal Wujal residents were able to return home. Houses were clean, safe, and stocked with essentials. Families could focus on reconnecting, healing, and rebuilding their lives.
One resident described the feeling simply:
“GIVIT gave me back some belief that Australia was generous. It gave me the belief that there is humanity out there.”
This recovery showed what’s possible when agencies, charities, governments, and communities work as one - guided by respect for culture, commitment to listening, and a shared vision for a better future.
For GIVIT, it’s a reminder of why we do what we do: helping communities determine their own needs, supporting them with exactly what’s required, and ensuring no generosity goes to waste.
And for Wujal Wujal, it’s proof that even after disaster, with the right support, it’s possible to come home stronger than before.
Donate goods & services to our First Nations Appeal
Here are some of the real items urgently needed right now by our First Nations communities. Every request comes directly from someone in need.
