As a born and raised Echuca girl, I’ve seen this town turn on each other a number of times over petty issues. In October, I watched in awe as we banded together during our darkest hour.
During the recent flooding, I was not a Riverine Herald journalist.
I was a scared person in my home-town, watching as the community scrambled to fight a rising tide.
What I saw this town accomplish will stay with me for a very long time.
I saw people of all ages support and help each other, whether it was filling sandbags, stacking them up high, feeding hungry workers, or just by helping our neighbours cope with the stress.
Sophie Amos, at 14 years old, was one such person in our community.
The Echuca CFA junior member assisted volunteers at the Echuca CFA by baking scones to keep them fed as they dealt with the flood crisis for three weeks.
While she was nervous to help out initially, she said it was a positive experience overall and one she certainly would not forget.
“I got to talk to the workers as well and I heard their stories,” she said.
“It was interesting and a great learning experience.
“It’s empowering getting to help a lot of people and seeing how these situations run. It’s a great environment for me.”
Sophie’s efforts were recognised by Governor-General David Hurley, who issued her a medallion of appreciation for her efforts in helping the workers.
Lexi Wright, at only 10-years-old, was also rolling up her sleeves to feed the hungry workers.
The Echuca 208 Primary School Year 4 student baked scones, a sponge cake, brownies and pasties to keep up the morale of the volunteers, and delivered them herself each afternoon.
“You can see them out there trying to do something good and they’re trying to save houses,” Lexi said.
“They’re helping our community and trying to save the town.”
Lexi started handing out baked goods on Monday, October 24, and said she would probably continue doing it “until they leave”, or when she went back to school.
But it’s not just our youngest residents who helped the effort.
Volunteers across the region have laid sandbag after sandbag after sandbag to protect against the deluge.
There were no egos on the ground — no hierarcy or disgruntled workers — it was community mutual aid at its finest. A community supporting their own.
I attended a house in Paroo St, Echuca, and was met with a hectic scene already in progress.
Firefighters from all over the state, soldiers and a stream of sweaty civilian volunteers were helping build a mammoth wall around this house, while ute after ute dropped off sandbags.
The owners had suffered before in previous floods and knew they’d be in the firing line again.
The ground underfoot was soft and marshy already from the rising waters, but the work carried on — because that’s what we needed to do.
We needed to support each other, and so we did, without hesitation.
Streets of people who had never met their neighbours now know everyone’s names.
Newer residents to town could count on long-term residents for advice about how to best protect their homes.
My parents and my partner’s parents both supported their neighbours this way — sharing the knowledge you get from being in a place for a long time.
I’m glad to see that this kind of camaraderie didn’t recede with the waters.
In the aftermath, Moama resident Lou Conway came up with the concept of selling t-shirts in an effort to raise money for those who have been hit hard by the floods.
The River Relief fundraiser was launched with 100 per cent of profits going towards flood-impacted communities.
Ms Conway was inspired by a t-shirt fundraiser she had seen in Christchurch after the deadly earthquake struck in 2011.
“In 2011, I was living in New Zealand. I purchased a shirt to support the cause, but it was more than that. It was a symbol of hope and unity,“ Ms Conway said.
“I wore that shirt for a good couple of years because it reminded me of a time when people reached out to others, offered kindness, support and practical help.
“These memories have led me to this fundraising campaign. Our purpose is to raise money for our communities in need of an extra helping hand during the aftermath of our devastating floods.”
Ms Conway has partnered up with Echuca Moama Apex Club for the duration of the fundraiser as it is an organisation that can disperse funds across both Victoria and NSW.
The t-shirts are still on sale for $30, and are available in 17 sizes from https://www.riverrelief.com.au/ or alternatively, a small supply of t-shirts can be purchased from Echuca’s Customs House Gallery.
I’ve been so inspired by my community over this time, and I continue to be inspired by everyone’s efforts of support in the wake of the chaos.
This time has shown a lot of people the value of community organising, and how it really takes a village.
After everything dries out, the damage is repaired, the smell of floodwaters dissipates and all of our wounds begin to heal, I hope we keep this same energy going well into the new year.
I hope we continue getting to know our neighbours and help each other.
But most of all, I hope that we think more proactively about supporting each other in the future, because we know we can do it. Now, it’s about whether we want to do it.