‘The water came in both doors, up the walls’

Kathy Cavanagh (right) with cleanup volunteers from her gym community “Our members are just amazing.”

by Tanya Outridge

For 22 years, Nambour Gym and Fitness Studio at Burnside has withstood the worst flooding the area has seen. But the water that came through last Monday week was more than anyone could have expected.

“The water came in both doors, up the walls and covered our powerpoints,” said business owner, Kathy Cavanagh. “So the power has been condemned.”

The Gym was established 22 years ago by husband and wife team, Gordon and Kathy. 

While the flooding was bad enough, Gordon has not been able to join in the clean up efforts as he recently underwent a bone marrow transplant and cannot be exposed to germs and bacteria.

“This gym is Gordon’s baby,” Kathy said. “He lives and breathes the place and he is always here looking after our members. He cannot do enough to support them in their fitness goals.”

Gordon and Kathy’s dedication to their gym community has been repaid in spades, as members stepped up and cleaned up the gym in record time.

“Our members are just amazing,” Kathy said. “There’s no other word for them. Everything has been cleaned and sterilised, and we have salvaged what equipment we could. Some of the cardio equipment will probably have to go, but overall I think it could have been far worse. We don’t have flood insurance, so I guess now we will have to see what the days bring. We are so grateful to our members and the wider community. It is hard to put what we are feeling into words.”