Diary of a Flood Survivor

It was a bittersweet day last week in the Elley household when we fnally bit the bullet and had our food-damaged pool removed.

The pool was over 14 years old and was the scene for so many family memories.

From endless games of piggy-in-themiddle, brandings, Marco Polo, to diving and underwater competitions and whirlpools.

Being able to invite hordes of the kids’ friends around for pool parties on birthdays and have family gatherings at Christmas or just for a barbeque.

just to take a driving test. The Government must do better,” he added.

“The lack of adequate testing in Maclean is another example of how regional NSW is being neglected under the Minns Labor Government. This issue needs immediate attention.”

Mr Williamson called on the Government to prioritise driver testing availability for Lower Clarence communities and ensure that the Maclean Service Centre is properly staffed to meet local demand.

“I will be raising this issue in the NSW Parliament this week, urging the NSW Government to fnd a permanent solution for this unacceptable lack of service to the Lower Clarence community,” he said.

Those unbearable summer days where we alternated between a cooling dip, to drying out with a good book only to go back in the water again when the temperature continued to be high.

We certainly felt the lack of that ability to cool down over the last couple of summers.

We will feel it again this summer, I have no doubt.

Now, where we had a water view, there is only a very large patch of sand and rock.

But we have plans.

We want to become the equivalent of Dirtgirl and Scrapboy and start a whopping big vege garden.

Mind you, the three little patches of veges we have at the moment

Before

After

haven’t had much love recently, but that will change as we design our bigger and better green space. We hope.

Regardless of what happens next, removing the pool is an extra step away from the damage we experienced on 28 February, 2022.

as well. We still have so much to do, but each small project that is completed provides a proportional feeling of accomplishment. Little steps.