Cyclone Winston

Picture: Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Queensland’s peak horticulture organisation, Growcom, has encouraged its members to support Fiji as it continues its recovery from tropical cyclone Winston.

The category five storm claimed more than 40 lives, with the clean-up operation expected to take several months.

“Horticulture growers in Queensland are well aware of the horror of enduring severe cyclones and the months of clean up afterwards,” said Growcom Commercial Services Manager, Donna Mogg. “Fijians are a major part of (Queensland) horticulture’s workforce under the seasonal worker programme and we grieve with those who have lost family and friends. Whole villages have disappeared including 2000 homes.”

Mogg praised the Australian Government for providing a A$15m package of assistance in response to the devastation.

“Growcom urges Queensland horticultural growers to do what they can to provide support to Fiji in these dark days,” she added.