Flood-hit Oxley residents relied so heavily on their neighbours for shelter and assistance during the flood emergency that evacuation centres welcomed just a few dozen people over the weekend.
Mt Ommaney state MP Jess Pugh said her electorate exhibited a "gold standard" in looking after its vulnerable residents.
The Corinda Bowls Club opened on Sunday to provide nearby residents a place to charge their phones or get a hot meal, but discovered there was no demand for their kind offer, which was just as well because the business lost power soon after.
The Riverlife Baptist Church at Seventeen Mile Rocks was also open yesterday and on Sunday night, but only 36 people made use of the refuge.
Ms Pugh said so her electorate was completely cut off by floodwaters and community members had willingly taken in those in need.
"Most of those people found shelter locally and were put up by friends and neighbours locally — literally hundreds of people around Oxley," she said.
"When Corinda Bowls Club opened there were so many offers of phone charging points and food, no-one really needed to go there.
"That's the Oxley way — they've been through this before.
'Certainly a menagerie'
Ms Pugh said many who did turn up to Riverlife Baptist Church had brought pets in crates.
"Somebody had a turtle and another had a kangaroo joey because the mother had been hurt and they were looking after it, so there was certainly a menagerie," she said.
A psychologist was also onsite helping volunteers with what to say to those who had fled their homes.
Riverlife Baptist Church senior pastor John Robertson said many had arrived at the Jennifer St site to simply make use of the church's showers and have a meal, while others brought their caravans and camped out on the property.
"People are still here now and we'll be open as a place of refuge and to offer people a place to sleep until Wednesday lunchtime," Mr Robertson said.
Mr Robertson said the 2011 floods had left residents in no doubt of the importance of looking after each other.
"Many people did have the opportunity to seek refuge with friends and relatives and neighbours nearby who weren't affected," he said.
He said many people were donating food and other goods to the church but asked that his volunteers be contacted before things were dropped off.
'OK, but very upset'
Tennyson Ward councillor Nicole Johnston said the water was still too high to begin cleaning up and urged residents to check on neighbours and friends if they could.
"I'm feeling very appreciative that we're all OK, but very upset about the extent of flooding — it's devastating out here again," she said.
Ms Johnston said Oxley, Sherwood, Chelmer and Graceville were still inundated from the morning's peak and that the water was receding slowly.
"Water is going to be sitting on the ground in the low parts of this ward for a few days," she said.
"We know that the next high tide isn't as high as this morning, but it's going to take a long time for this water to drain away.
Ms Johnston said community centres around the suburbs had opened to support people affected, including the Yeronga Community Centre in Devon Street, which was offering power and food.
The Moorooka Bowls club is also open and offering food and respite, while in the west the Graceville Presbyterian Church on Bank Road, and Riverlife Christian Church on Seventeen Mile Rocks Road are both open and providing food, power and support.
