Diary of a Flood Survivor

Community is a word that gets bandied around a lot.

Most of us, at some point, have lived in a community of neighbours, friends and family.

Even those who live in isolated situations only have to go to the local shops or a nearby neighbour to feel the effects of community.

Communities make you feel safe, feel like you belong, give you a sense of purpose if you work or volunteer in it and are more often than not a positive influence on our lives.

Yes, there is the annoying neighbour or the kids down the road make too much noise, or possibly the couple up the road have constant shouting matches, but generally to live in community is a positive

GRAFTON’S DAY OUT

Grafton is readying to celebrate the good times this weekend with a festival of music and food.

Good Times Co and The Grafton District Services Club have teamed up to bring the Jacaranda City one of its events of the year, the Grafton Day Out Food and Music Festival. With more than 20 food and drinks vans bands there promises to be a picnic atmosphere.

Patrons can join the thing.

I’ve been pondering on this, because often when we drive or walk through the streets of our neighbourhood, there are still many empty houses.

Shortly after the floods, the community came alive as houses were gutted and rubbish thrown out. Then there was a lull.

Renters had disappeared, many who houses to a decent living level. Our neighbours next door to us moved back in August 2022 and we followed in late September. Our neighbours across the road lived there while they worked on their house and others took up the use of a caravan.

Friends of ours are moving back to their home in a week’s time.