Community Spirit Is Everything During Floods

The Hawkesbury has had its fair share of trials and tribulations over recent years, but those living in the area are nothing if not resilient.

Yarramundi resident and hobby farmer Scott Peterson said that the community came together in times of hardship.

“We moved here around seven years ago and met a few neighbours the first few years and more over the next,” Mr Peterson said.

“One thing that struck us most about the Hawkesbury was the quality of the people and the genuine community spirit.

“We have a good group of friends that stay in touch at all times, but during hard times we all come together that much more to support each other.”

The folks in Yarramundi have gone through periods of sustained power outages, bushfires and two floods, but they are determined not to give up. Them community has banded together to pool resources when things were at their worst.

“We organise group cookups when power goes out to use up food stocks,” Mr Peterson said.

“We arrange gas bottle pools so everyone can still cook.”

They move expensive frozen goods to those places with strong generators and have bathroom facilities so that everyone can clean up.

“One neighbour has a water cart for firefighting and tank top ups,” Mr Peterson said.

“We get information as quick or quicker from those around us than media sources relating to bridge closures, fire movements, etc, and on a number of occasions have been able to make timely decisions based purely on local advice.”

Mr Peterson said he and his wife moved to Yarramundi for the natural charm and beauty of the bush, but they stayed because of the people.

“Even in regular times we all help each other where we can with anything possible, from clearing scrub, weeding paddocks and feeding stock to purchasing communal equipment or stock medications,” he said.

“I know if I ever genuinely need a hand, those around me would step up in a heartbeat.”

• Topics:

• Floods