Friends play their cards right as motel survives mighty blast

CONFRONTING Cy c l o n e Debbie was just “another day at the coalface” for four good friends in Bowen who endured the brutal system together yesterday.

When the power went out at the Port Denison Motel on Santa Barbara Pde yesterday morning, owners Anita and Craig Rogan wasted no time finding a pack of cards.

“We’re all stressed and stretched with the downturn of the coal industry but the people here are Queenslanders and workers and we know how to do it tough,” Mrs Rogan said.

“With the cyclone, it’s just another day at the coalface – at the office. “We’re resilient.” The couple, who have owned the business for fourand- a- half years, said they had no concerns building.

Port Denison comprises 46 rooms, but none suffered severe structural damage in yesterday’s winds.

“It was an old- age home to start with, it would have had very strict building regulations as far as I’m concerned,” Mr Rogan said.

“All the walls are filled with concrete, we felt very secure.

“There is some damage for the motel around the perimeter.” Their good friends Kevin and Regina Murphy sought refuge at the motel on Sunday, fearing it was not safe to stay at their Rose Bay home.

Mrs Murphy said the cyclone was very slow moving.

“I feel sorry for the people down south, I worry for them because they’re not as lucky as we have been,” she said.

“It’s lucky we went and got the generator.”

Mr Murphy said they were very relieved to have come through the cyclone unscathed.

“We’ve found good,” he said.

“Even though we have a Category 5 building here, there is very little damage.

“I think it’s been slow because it’s happened during the day.

“Usually they hit at night when we’re asleep and you it quite wake up and assess the damage.”

The power today.

“Ergon will be turning up ... so hopefully it comes back on then,” Mrs Rogan said.

“People are very big- hearted here in Bowen. It’s a bighearted town. Everyone looks out for each other here.

“Everyone should friends like we have.” friends would hoped the be restored have