$10.6k raised for family after tree rips through home
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Renata and Joel Brunton lost their home in Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Picture: Glenn Hampson
Gold Coast mum Renata Brunton stood shaking and crying as she and her husband, Joel, surveyed the massive gum tree that tore through their home during Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
The family of four lost the place they’d called home for a decade, leaving little but splintered walls and waterlogged belongings.
Yet amidst the chaos, local residents, many still without power or internet themselves, had raised $10,620 — and counting — in just days through a GoFundMe campaign to help the Bruntons rebuild.
The family had left their Tugun home hours before after losing power as wild weather gained force.
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Renata and Joel Brunton survey the damage. Picture: Glenn Hampson
A large gum tree destroyed the family’s Tugun home
Ms Brunton initially planned to ride out the storm alone but was persuaded to join Joel and their two sons, Nicholas (10) and Lucas (7), at his workshop. That evening, a neighbour rang to say power had been restored, but moments later came devastating news.
“When he said the tree hit our house, we assumed it was just some roof damage,” Ms Brunton said.
“Then he told us, ‘It’s big, don’t bring the kids.’ When we got there, the tree had gone right through our bedroom. That’s when I realised we would be dead if we stayed home.”
Rain poured in through gaping holes, soaking toys, books, and furniture.
Few of their belongings could be salvaged
The Bruntons had asked council to remove the tree
To make matters worse, Ms Brunton said she had petitioned council just weeks earlier to remove the tree, which she believed posed a threat due to its large size and proximity to the Tugun property.
“We’d had another tree fall recently, which cut our power even without a storm,” she said. “We warned council this one was a risk, but were told it was fine.”
“What was making me mad through the sadness was they could have cut that tree.
“We were about to get hit by a cyclone — this could have been prevented.”
Gold Coast City Council did not respond by deadline to a request for comment.
With no home-and-contents insurance, the Bruntons must rely on body corporate coverage for structural repairs.
The Bruntons had owned their beachside home since 2014
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Now staying temporarily at a relative’s Airbnb, they are awaiting an engineer’s inspection to confirm the townhouse must be demolished and rebuilt.
A friend’s crowdfunding campaign, titled Help Renata and Her Family Rebuild After Cyclone Alfred, has a goal of $15,000 to assist with everyday necessities.
Despite the heartbreak, Ms Brunton remains determined to keep life as normal as possible for the children, planning to return to work next week while the family awaits a longer-term solution.
They are grateful for the support of the community
“It’s sad, but we’re all alive, we’re safe and we will rebuild in a year or two,” she said.
“We love this area. Flat Rock is close to the beach and wildlife, and we are always outdoors. “People always said our townhouse was too small, but we loved our tiny house.”
Property records show the couple purchased the two-bedroom home in the Aquatic Terraces complex in 2014.
