The thousands of volunteers who helped residents and emergency officals clean up flood damage in Brisbane and Ipswich on Saturday have been praised for their tireless work.
More than 7000 registered volunteers and many thousands of unofficial volunteers turned out for what the Queensland Premier Anna Bligh labelled Operation Compassion, the ABC reports.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the volunteering effort showed tremendous 'Aussie spirit'.
Officials say more than 11,500 people turned up at the four marshalling centres in Brisbane on Saturday, joining army personnel and firefighters.
Roads around the city are clogged with garbage trucks and huge piles of rubbish are being dumped in the parks.
In Ipswich, more than 4000 volunteers hit the streets alongside hundreds of soldiers and other emergency service workers.
