Beyond the Deluge: Flood Resilience Stories from the Hunter Valley

About Beyond the Deluge: Flood Resilience Stories from the Hunter Valley

Natural disasters are common in rural Australia, but there is something particularly devastating about floods. They sweep through towns and communities often without warning, and leave people to pick up the pieces. And unlike bushfires, there is no way for people to take measures to deter the ferocity of a flood. On July 6th 2022, a flood swept through Broke and the Hunter Valley in NSW, Australia and disrupted over 300 community members. It had been 70 years since a flood so dangerous and overwhelming had hit the town and they are still reeling from the effects today. Join John Milham as he talks to the Broke and Singleton Community each week and shares with us the trauma and adversity felt during the flood and how the strength and compassion of community in regional NSW has kept this town resilient and steadfast in the wake of trauma, anxiety and destruction. This is a special series of the Kintsugi Heroes Podcast. Beyond The Deluge is a story about what happens after the water recedes — when the news crews leave, the cameras stop rolling, and a community is left to rebuild not just their homes, but their sense of safety, identity, and belonging. Through honest, unhurried conversations with the people who lived it, this series captures the long, quiet work of recovery: the kitchen-table moments, the neighbours who showed up, the grief that doesn't follow a timeline, and the resilience that gets built one ordinary day at a time. It's a series about land, water, and the people who refuse to let a town be defined by its worst day. About what regional Australia really looks like when it's tested — and what holds it together when so much has been swept away. Whether you've lived through a natural disaster yourself, work in emergency response or recovery, or simply want to hear what community actually means in the face of crisis, Beyond The Deluge invites you to listen, learn, and witness. Kintsugi Heroes is an Australian not-for-profit (DGR endorsed) dedicated to strengthening mental wellbeing through the power of storytelling. We believe lived experience is a gift to be shared, not a scar to be hidden. To find out more about Kintsugi Heroes and our other podcast series, head to KintsugiHeroes.com.au. Connect With Us: 🌐 Website: https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kintsugiheroes 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kintsugi.heroes/ 👥 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Kintsugi-Heroes-100084850387170/ ❤️ Donate (tax-deductible): https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/donate/#donate

Publisher

Kintsugi Heroes

Category

health & fitness · society & culture · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

5 May 2024

Latest episode

30 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

14 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   30 Jul 2026

   Twenty years numb: Karl Germann on complex trauma, queerness, and finding himself at 46 | Pride In Stories - Kintsugi Heroes: Uncovering our Hidden Value

   The 20-year fog

2. 

   21 Jul 2024

   Being Local during Disaster and the Role of Magooney's Coffee Shop with Melissa O'Toole

   Melissa O'Toole, a well-respected Broke Village local, gives us her perspective on the floods both from her personal experience and from what is now a hub of the village, Magoony's Coffee House, which plays an important part in village life. Melissa and her husband Paul moved to Broke nearly 30 years ago with their family and had a couple of businesses. Her husband is a teacher at St Catherine's School in Singleton. She worked for 18 years in local businesses in the area, including Margan Wines. On their two-acre property on the outskirts of the village, they have a catering business, Motty's Farm Cuisine, and a guest house called Red Tractor Retreat. They had an antique shop many years ago and took on the old garage where they are now to open another antique shop, but have now turned it into a cellar door. Their son Ryan runs the now iconic Magoony's coffee house in the same location. Melissa highlights the challenges of rebuilding and finding strength in the face of the devastation caused by the floods and provides outstanding examples of neighbours and volunteers offering assistance and support. She describes how the community bonded and thrived amidst the challenging circumstances of a natural disaster and how places like the Broke Village Hall and Magoony's Coffee House enable people to gather and share their experiences and to continue to support those who are still dealing with the aftermath of the floods. Melissa has a positive but realistic outlook about the future of Broke, where floods are part of the history of their environment. ‘I think most likely there will be another flood…a lot of people have got their own views, but I don't have a concern for my future of living here. If it's going to happen, it's going to happen. It was one in a hundred-year flood. Maybe it's another hundred years.’ ***** We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Beyond the Deluge and Kintsugi Heroes. Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group. If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact (https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact) We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories! Warmly, The Kintsugi Heroes team YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@kintsugiheroes6540) || Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084850387170) || Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/kintsugi.heroes/) || LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/kintsugi-heroes/) || Website (https://kintsugiheroes.com.au/) Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie (https://open.spotify.com/track/0rCAtNaakT6CDq0LcZjZc3) This episode of Kintsugi Heroes was made possible in partnership with Singleton Neighbourhood Center (https://www.singletonneighbourhoodcentre.org.au/) with grant funding from the Hunter New England and Centre Primary Health Network (https://thephn.com.au/).

3. 

   14 Jul 2024

   A Love of Wollombi, Volunteering in the RFS & the Historic Pub with Chris Books

   Chris Brooks, the proprietor of the iconic Wollombi Tavern during the July 2022 flood, is a resilient and community-oriented individual. In the early eighties, when Chris was in the army he discovered the tavern during regular trips to Singleton. Originally a builder from Sydney, in 2016, he and his wife decided to buy a small hobby farm and drew a circle around two hours from Sydney, and Wollombi happened to fall into that circle. They looked at a few properties, from Goulburn up to Singleton, then found the property they liked in Wollombi. ‘I said to my wife, “I want to buy my little piece of Australia.” We lived in this stupid big house in Sydney, but we knew only the two people next door to us and people across the road.’ Chris mentioned to his friends that, ‘There’s this little pub there that I love, and if it ever came up for sale, I’d buy it.’ Which he did, in 2017. Passionate about preserving local history and traditions, Chris took on the challenge of running the historical pub, embracing its rich heritage dating back to the early 1800s. His commitment to Wollombi and its residents reflects his deep connection to the area and his unwavering dedication to preserving its unique character. Wollombi is a small village, ‘two hours from Sydney, but a long way from anywhere’. The tavern is one of the major focal points for the local community. For tourists, it’s the biggest attraction in the village. Despite facing numerous adversities, including bushfires, floods, and Covid lockdowns, Chris remained dedicated to the tavern and the community it served. As a volunteer firefighter, he embodies the spirit of service and resilience, facing challenges with determination and positivity. ***** We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Beyond the Deluge and Kintsugi Heroes. Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group. If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact (https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact) We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories! Warmly, The Kintsugi Heroes team YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@kintsugiheroes6540) || Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084850387170) || Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/kintsugi.heroes/) || LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/kintsugi-heroes/) || Website (https://kintsugiheroes.com.au/) Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie (https://open.spotify.com/track/0rCAtNaakT6CDq0LcZjZc3) This episode of Kintsugi Heroes was made possible in partnership with Singleton Neighbourhood Center (https://www.singletonneighbourhoodcentre.org.au/) with grant funding from the Hunter New England and Centre Primary Health Network (https://thephn.com.au/).

4. 

   7 Jul 2024

   Returning Home and the Flood Impacts on Broke Estate with Bernadette Tolson

   Bernadette lives with her husband, Max, on a property called Broke Estate on the outskirts of Broke where they have accommodation, a vineyard, and cattle. They were on other side of the road collapse that blocked of the local villages. Eventually they could get to Singleton but it was a few days before they could get into Broke. ‘It was scary because we were very isolated. We were on an island because there was water all around us, and the road to Singleton was closed. Our neighbours were also blocked off from us. We thought if we did get stuck there, we could go up into the ceiling and onto the roof, but we didn't think the flood would get that high. We had to stay calm.’ Their house was not flooded but they had many other challenges on the property including the need to rescue their livestock, but they were able to observe what was happening around them. ‘The connection to the village really came for us once the road opened, and we were able to go down and be part of the village and of that recovery check-in point at the community centre. It was like a war zone. It was very sad to see the devastation; it was dirty and wet. The sun was shining, and it was really eerie.’ She observed that the local community is very strong, aiding in the recovery with support from various services, officials, and volunteers. Bernadette’s level preparedness for natural disasters was tested and she realised the importance of better evacuation plans and resources. Bernadette believes Broke village is bouncing back but also bouncing forward, and describes the significance of wellness initiatives, community involvement, and support services in fostering connectedness and resilience. Support Bernadette's Business Broke Estate: https://brokeestate.com.au/ (https://brokeestate.com.au/) ***** We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Beyond the Deluge and Kintsugi Heroes. Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group. If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact (https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact) We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories! Warmly, The Kintsugi Heroes team YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@kintsugiheroes6540) || Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084850387170) || Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/kintsugi.heroes/) || LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/kintsugi-heroes/) || Website (https://kintsugiheroes.com.au/) Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie (https://open.spotify.com/track/0rCAtNaakT6CDq0LcZjZc3) This episode of Kintsugi Heroes was made possible in partnership with Singleton Neighbourhood Center (https://www.singletonneighbourhoodcentre.org.au/) with grant funding from the Hunter New England and Centre Primary Health Network (https://thephn.com.au/).

5. 

   30 Jun 2024

   Nautral Disaster Trauma: What the Research Says with Rob Gordon

   Rob Gordon gives us a powerful and detailed explanation of the effects on the human psyche of trauma from disasters and describes strategies for healing. He is warm and compassionate and his examples which all come from his experience over many years illustrate the complexity of the human response to tragic events and explain why it can take many years to recover. Many of our other guests have come to the same conclusion as Rob that the most important ingredient of healing from this type of trauma is to have strong support and social networks. Biography Rob Gordon is a psychotherapist who has been working with Bushfire Recovery since the Ash Wednesday bushfires of 1983. And he's also been a consultant to the Victorian government and the Red Cross for disasters since 1989. Rob has a private practice in psychotherapy at Box Hill in Victoria Contact rob@robgordon.com.au (mailto:rob@robgordon.com.au) Check out our Special Series about Recovery from the 2019/2020 Bushfires Kintsugi Heroes: Alpine Series (YouTube) (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvWGYmXsM8BBz1ajxD6PrQ2fy-z7upiwY) Kintsugi Heroes: Alpine Series (Audio RSS) (https://kintsugiheroesalpine.captivate.fm/listen) ***** We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Beyond the Deluge and Kintsugi Heroes. Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group. If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact (https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact) We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories! Warmly, The Kintsugi Heroes team YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@kintsugiheroes6540) || Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084850387170) || Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/kintsugi.heroes/) || LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/kintsugi-heroes/) || Website (https://kintsugiheroes.com.au/) Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie (https://open.spotify.com/track/0rCAtNaakT6CDq0LcZjZc3) This episode of Kintsugi Heroes was made possible in partnership with Singleton Neighbourhood Center (https://www.singletonneighbourhoodcentre.org.au/) with grant funding from the Hunter New England and Centre Primary Health Network (https://thephn.com.au/).

6. 

   23 Jun 2024

   The Hero of Broke: Operational Excellence and Generosity with Mick McCardle

   Mick is a man who was acknowledged by the village as being an absolute hero when it came to supporting the community. His operational role was essential and his heart was huge when it came to supporting the local people. Born in 1963 he was in the Army from 1981 to 2013. In 2016 he moved with his wife to Broke where he owns a small business. He was the Singleton Citizen of the year for 2023 and is the president of the Broke Residents Community Association. Mick’s story is about his personal experience of the flood as well as sharing the story of being in charge of the operations centre at the Broke Community Hall during the 2022 catastrophic flood. “Because of my 30-odd years in the military, mainly overseas in operations, I came into the job to head up the operations centre because I knew what was involved and that when I was down there at the hall, I had to portray, okay, this is what we've got to do and get it done.” Like many others in the area his animals are an important part of his life. “We discussed it when they came and saw us about evacuating my wife, Min, but we couldn't go because of the animals; we've got three dogs, two cats, and chickens. I don't think our biggest dog, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, would have been happy getting in a tinny to cross a raging river.” ***** We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Beyond the Deluge and Kintsugi Heroes. Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group. If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact (https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact) We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories! Warmly, The Kintsugi Heroes team YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@kintsugiheroes6540) || Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084850387170) || Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/kintsugi.heroes/) || LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/kintsugi-heroes/) || Website (https://kintsugiheroes.com.au/) Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie (https://open.spotify.com/track/0rCAtNaakT6CDq0LcZjZc3) This episode of Kintsugi Heroes was made possible in partnership with Singleton Neighbourhood Center (https://www.singletonneighbourhoodcentre.org.au/) with grant funding from the Hunter New England and Centre Primary Health Network (https://thephn.com.au/).

7. 

   16 Jun 2024

   How Surviving a Flood Deepens a Loving Partnership with Carina Moonen

   Carina and her husband Leith were severely impacted by the 2022 flood but because they live at Warkworth, away from the main flood area and cut off by flooded roads, they were not assisted by emergency services. “I was a little bit bitter that nobody had come, simply because if Leith hadn't been here, I would not have left. I would have waited for someone to come and save me. The dog and I would have been on my bed because that's the highest point and there was literally no one coming for us. “In the future, I want them not to forget the little people. The alerts had come through Bulga, Broke, and Singleton. For some reason, I thought that because Warkworth wasn't named, we must be OK. It's a silly attitude, but it is what it is.” Her husband Leith has also shared their story and both together offer us a devastating picture of their what they went through and it is still not over for them. Carina’s story is raw and very honest but, like the other Kintsugi Heroes we have spoken to, she expressed her gratitude at the many acts of generosity and kindness from members of their community. ***** We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Beyond the Deluge and Kintsugi Heroes. Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group. If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact (https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact) We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories! Warmly, The Kintsugi Heroes team YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@kintsugiheroes6540) || Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084850387170) || Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/kintsugi.heroes/) || LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/kintsugi-heroes/) || Website (https://kintsugiheroes.com.au/) Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie (https://open.spotify.com/track/0rCAtNaakT6CDq0LcZjZc3) This episode of Kintsugi Heroes was made possible in partnership with Singleton Neighbourhood Center (https://www.singletonneighbourhoodcentre.org.au/) with grant funding from the Hunter New England and Centre Primary Health Network (https://thephn.com.au/).

8. 

   9 Jun 2024

   When Emergency Support Means Compassion for a Community with Annie Cossins

   Annie is a volunteer firefighter and a deputy captain with Wollombi Brigade in the Lower Hunter District. During the floods in 2022, along with many other firefighters in Wollombi Brigade, she undertook the daunting task of cleaning out local residents' flooded homes and businesses. She learnt how important it was for residents to start the recovery process amidst their tears, left over fears and sense of hopelessness. The floods didn't affect her home because she lives on a hill, although the sight of the tiny creek on her road turning into a river the width of the Hunter was something she hopes to never see again. Annie’s story from both her personal and her role in the RFS captures the commitment and compassion of the local volunteer organisations that are the bedrock of rural communities. ***** We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Beyond the Deluge and Kintsugi Heroes. Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group. If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact (https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact) We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories! Warmly, The Kintsugi Heroes team YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@kintsugiheroes6540) || Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084850387170) || Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/kintsugi.heroes/) || LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/kintsugi-heroes/) || Website (https://kintsugiheroes.com.au/) Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie (https://open.spotify.com/track/0rCAtNaakT6CDq0LcZjZc3) This episode of Kintsugi Heroes was made possible in partnership with Singleton Neighbourhood Center (https://www.singletonneighbourhoodcentre.org.au/) with grant funding from the Hunter New England and Centre Primary Health Network (https://thephn.com.au/).

9. 

   2 Jun 2024

   Providing Shelter & Empathy for the Broke Community with Kirsty & Quinton McLeod

   Kirsty and Quinton McCleod are a couple who manage Starline Alpacas Farmstay in Broke. They have a shared passion for farming, agritourism and for the growth and development of our region. Quinton came to the region with an interest in viticulture , but his farming background saw him return to his first love, and Alpacas took the limelight. Kirsty hailing from a Criminology background saw her work like pivot in a rural setting where she found a love for finding a way to make the farming experience and tourism accessible to everyone. During the flood they used their resources to shelter as many families as they were able to. Having kids of their own they recognised the importance of having a space for kids to feel moments of normality and safety away from flood waters whilst their parents navigated rebuilding their lives. Along with some incredible local educators we were able to provide a space for a play group . Kirsty and Quinton share their insights and observations of the devastating impact of the flood on Broke and the residents following some rough years of drought fire and the pandemic. Their love for their community shines through their words as does their strong belief in the future of this special region. Social Media www.starlinealpacas.com.au (https://www.starlinealpacas.com.au) https://www.instagram.com/starlinealpacasfarmstayresort/ (https://www.instagram.com/starlinealpacasfarmstayresort/) https://www.tiktok.com/@starlinealpacas (https://www.tiktok.com/@starlinealpacas) ***** We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Beyond the Deluge and Kintsugi Heroes. Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group. If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact (https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact) We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories! Warmly, The Kintsugi Heroes team YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@kintsugiheroes6540) || Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084850387170) || Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/kintsugi.heroes/) || LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/kintsugi-heroes/) || Website (https://kintsugiheroes.com.au/) Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie (https://open.spotify.com/track/0rCAtNaakT6CDq0LcZjZc3) This episode of Kintsugi Heroes was made possible in partnership with Singleton Neighbourhood Center (https://www.singletonneighbourhoodcentre.org.au/) with grant funding from the Hunter New England and Centre Primary Health Network (https://thephn.com.au/).

10. 

    26 May 2024

    The Traumatic Impact and Toll a Flood Takes with Leith Moonen

    Leith has a heart rending story about the events of the 6th of July 2022, when he and his wife, Carina, were caught up in the floods and lost everything. Their village, Warkworth, was out of the way and not part of the hub of activity in the area, but they were heavily impacted on the day of the flood. They ended up camping by the roadside in atrocious conditions until they were separated by the need for his wife to have a safe space to live. They felt abandoned by the emergency services but were eventually supported by their neighbours and community members. "Unfortunately, the short-term goal of this situation is to raise awareness of many of these issues and find out why people like us were forgotten. " "We had no communication to know what other people were doing apart from people stopping by. We saw no emergency services. We had nothing; we had no information besides this water is in our house now. The only assistance we received was from some community people and a couple of stubborn mates who drove out to help out. The area was shut, locked down with floods happening all around." "If people want to help, the help has to be appropriate. Sometimes, it's not. Some people can hinder, and some people can help. They are both suffering ongoing trauma. Leith has spent much of the past two years in often fruitless attempts to salvage their precious possessions flooded out in their three sea containers on the property. Carina tells her story in another Kintsugi Heroes podcast. ***** We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Beyond the Deluge and Kintsugi Heroes. Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group. If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact (https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact) We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories! Warmly, The Kintsugi Heroes team YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@kintsugiheroes6540) || Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084850387170) || Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/kintsugi.heroes/) || LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/kintsugi-heroes/) || Website (https://kintsugiheroes.com.au/) Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie (https://open.spotify.com/track/0rCAtNaakT6CDq0LcZjZc3) This episode of Kintsugi Heroes was made possible in partnership with Singleton Neighbourhood Center (https://www.singletonneighbourhoodcentre.org.au/) with grant funding from the Hunter New England and Centre Primary Health Network (https://thephn.com.au/).

11. 

    19 May 2024

    The Broke Community Hall: a Hub of Connection & Empathy with Evelyn Hardy

    Evelyn Hardy is a well -loved local pillar of the local community in Broke. She loves to keep busy and found that during the 2022 floods her commitment to the wellbeing of the local community was a way of dealing with her own losses in the flood. In her story she shares her experiences during the floods. As secretary of the Broke Community Hall and together with a wonderful group of local women she played a pivotal role in offering help and support to the local community. “Keeping in touch with community and helping out is something I enjoy immensely. Ever since the flood in July 2022 there has been an enormous amount of work needing to be done and being a part of our local committee, Broke Residents Community Association, has kept a focus on getting back on ours and everyone else’s feet.” “For the past almost 20 months everyone in our community has been focusing on getting back on track to pre flood. The BRCA and many others have worked toward helping in the recovery and wellbeing of all of our community members. Being a part of this community has been something that I personally am very proud and humbled by. It’s been an incredibly hard experience with several people still nowhere near over the impact of the floods. Being there for the ones still going through this is very important to me personally and providing support and wellbeing is top priority moving forward.” Biography I’m a mum of 2 adult children and a grandmother. I volunteer at the Singleton Neighbourhood Centre. I am the secretary of the Broke Community Hall. ***** We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Beyond the Deluge and Kintsugi Heroes. Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group. If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact (https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact) We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories! Warmly, The Kintsugi Heroes team YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@kintsugiheroes6540) || Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084850387170) || Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/kintsugi.heroes/) || LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/kintsugi-heroes/) || Website (https://kintsugiheroes.com.au/) Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie (https://open.spotify.com/track/0rCAtNaakT6CDq0LcZjZc3) This episode of Kintsugi Heroes was made possible in partnership with Singleton Neighbourhood Center (https://www.singletonneighbourhoodcentre.org.au/) with grant funding from the Hunter New England and Centre Primary Health Network (https://thephn.com.au/).

12. 

    13 May 2024

    The Reality of Floods for Emergency Services with Tony Hawkins

    Tony is a long-time resident of the Wollombi area up near Broke. He moved there with his partner in 1992. His story concerns the 2022 Broke and Bulga and Wollombi flood situation. He has a unique perspective because of his long association with the Rural Fire Service (RFS) and community support. During floods, the community reaches out for help and support from existing community organisations and the RFS played a pivotal role in the 2022 floods. Biography After a long period of service as a Volunteer with the NSW Rural Fire Service, joined the RFS as a staff member, specialising in bushfire mitigation. Tony has a dual passion. Understanding and implementing best practice bushfire management and sharing that knowledge and experience through training and mentoring. He has a professional and personal desire to develop existing programs to a higher level and is highly qualified. For the last few years, in private consultancy, he has been involved with training, including in cultural burning practices in the Hunter. Following the fires in 2019, he has been involved in community resilience training. ***** We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Beyond the Deluge and Kintsugi Heroes. Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group. If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact (https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact) We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories! Warmly, The Kintsugi Heroes team YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@kintsugiheroes6540) || Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084850387170) || Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/kintsugi.heroes/) || LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/kintsugi-heroes/) || Website (https://kintsugiheroes.com.au/) Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie (https://open.spotify.com/track/0rCAtNaakT6CDq0LcZjZc3) This episode of Kintsugi Heroes was made possible in partnership with Singleton Neighbourhood Center (https://www.singletonneighbourhoodcentre.org.au/) with grant funding from the Hunter New England and Centre Primary Health Network (https://thephn.com.au/).

13. 

    6 May 2024

    Connection and Compassion in the Community after the Flood with Carly Dawson

    Carly Dawson only moved into Broke almost a year to the day before the floods. She had been around the area for a while before that after she and her and her son had spent a long time travelling and working around Australia with a caravan, but with no plans to settle in Broke. Circumstances led them to the Hunter and she subsequently got a job in the Broke area. They had been traveling for about five years at that stage and it was time to settle down somewhere and try something new. In 2021 she bought an old house in the centre of town. Carly tells her story with compassion and clarity. The flood did not enter her house but came very close and she witnessed the devastation suffered by others as she struggled with Covid so had to remain in isolation. “At one stage I dozed off and I woke up much later, to a lapping sound. For a minute I thought I was in a boat because my brain wasn't working properly. I thought, hang on, that doesn't sound good. I went to one of my back rooms to look out the window onto the street and the water was up around the house. I went out to the front patio and the water was completely up to top of the stairs of the patio.” Like other locals she expresses her appreciation of the supportive community and what that meant to her as a newcomer to the area. ***** We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Beyond the Deluge and Kintsugi Heroes. Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group. If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact (https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact) We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories! Warmly, The Kintsugi Heroes team YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@kintsugiheroes6540) || Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084850387170) || Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/kintsugi.heroes/) || LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/kintsugi-heroes/) || Website (https://kintsugiheroes.com.au/) Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie (https://open.spotify.com/track/0rCAtNaakT6CDq0LcZjZc3) This episode of Kintsugi Heroes was made possible in partnership with Singleton Neighbourhood Center (https://www.singletonneighbourhoodcentre.org.au/) with grant funding from the Hunter New England and Centre Primary Health Network (https://thephn.com.au/).

14. 

    5 May 2024

    Beyond the Deluge: Flood Resilience Stories from the Hunter Valley

    G'day, John Millam from Kintsugi Heroes, and welcome to Beyond the Deluge. There are some encounters in life that no amount of preparation planning and past experience will equip us to deal with when they hit. On the 6th of July, 2022, the rivers and streams outside of Wollombi broke and other villages in the Undervalley, New South Wales flowed over the banks, and the small towns were flooded and devastation was left in the watersway. Over 300 locals traumatized and displaced, were left without support, power, and even aid for a time, while the worst flood in 70 years ravaged the place they called home. While it's not uncommon in rural Australia to face adversity, the fires of 2019 went through the same area and were devastating. And yet, floods bring a special kind of awful with the mud and stink. We feel despair, we feel the loss of our precious momentos and loved things, and our sense of safety. The ongoing impact is still being managed, and so much cost and impact must also count the trauma and anxiety left by. Yet, from this devastation, hope will find a way. And here, we also find talk of heroes, of generosity and community.(...) In this special "Konsoogi Heroes" limited podcast series, "Beyond the Deluge," we hope to share stories of the floods, both adversity and resilience from the towns and villages. We've spoken to a group of people who have varying views and experiences, and through them, we start to capture the awful realities of coping with the Deluge. And we also hear them share moments of courage, care and wonder. I will walk with the lived experiences of these people who worked hard to overcome the dark time and are working hard to reset, restore and rebuild their lives, their homes and their community. It also brought back memories. For me as a child, I lived in the northwest of New South Wales, a little town called Weewool, where we went through five full floods in seven years. As a kid, it was almost exciting, lots of people pitching in, yet it was also terrible and scary. I can remember vividly walking outside my home, up to my chest in water, constantly ducking out of the way of floating furniture and rubbish, and of course, brown snakes. All that work and loss, in the end, saw my parents toss it in and end to Sydney. In these conversations, I see how hard the folks in and around Broke are working to bring this place fully back to life. Kintsugi, you may know, is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold and water. They feel like the repaired object with its scars becomes even more beautiful than the original. So while events, like the hardships of the floods, can push us to breaking, hearing the stories of spirit, of courage, and restoration can help us cope, heal, and come back stronger as a person and as a community. Sharing those stories is part of that gold glue. Please watch this fortnightly podcast, Kintsugi Heroes, Beyond the Deluge, and please be inspired as you hear the tales from Beyond the Deluge. Thank you.

Contact Beyond the Deluge: Flood Resilience Stories from the Hunter Valley

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