19 December 2022
Helping hands as the River Murray floodwaters rise
Noel Hickey says there have been many Moments of Help as neighbours and strangers united to prepare the historic town of Mannum, South Australia, for the arrival of the River Murray floodwaters. One such helper was Sonya Catalano who joined the 15 strong NRMA Insurance team in Nganguruku country. This is her story.
In towns along the mighty Murray, people have been watching the river rise for weeks as the south-eastern Australian floods continue to wreak havoc, in painstakingly slow motion.
The water has been snaking down to the sea through these river towns, where numerous community meeting have been held as the South Australian State Emergency Service (SASES) and other organisations are on hand to bolster preparedness.
I’d never done anything like this before, and it was way out of my corporate office comfort zone. I’m still buzzing from the feeling that I can do something to help my community.
In Mannum, the local council and SASES built a giant flood levee right down the centre of the main street, hoping it will keep the peak on the river side, though they fear it can’t save all the properties.
As people came along to collect the freshly filled sandbags, Sonya started talking to them. That’s how she found Noel Hickey, a Vietnam veteran whose house is in the danger zone.
One of his neighbours was worried about him and had asked if SASES could deliver some sandbags to Noel’s place. When Sonja arrived with a tray full of sandbags, Noel was moved to tears. “I was the same, crying, I couldn’t help myself,” says Sonya.
Noel is grateful for all the help he’s received to sandbag it. If there’s an upside in all this – and Noel believes there is – it’s how the people of Mannum and beyond have come together to help prepare the town.
“You have to have hope – we don’t know how high the water will come,” says Noel. “In town, they’ve been busy building a big levee. I’ve had time to move things that are important to me up to my neighbours’ house.”
Up the hill is out of the flood zone and neighbours Noel had never met before have offered to store his most precious possessions, and even helped him move some.
Noel took a poster-sized framed photo of himself with his speedway bike racing mates up to the house. “I also took up photos of my son, who races them now,” he says. “I took my Vietnam medals and some other things – it makes me feel better now they’re safe.”
People are also helping with emotional support as they all watch the water rise. “People are coming by and asking how I’m going, offering to lend a hand, bringing me eggs and things,” says Noel. “The response of the locals and others has made me feel like people care. It’s been a bit overwhelming to be honest.”
Since Sonya’s first load of sandbags, others have brought more and Noel’s picked up some of his own. He’s doing everything he can to prepare for the arrival of the flood peak. “I keep an eye on the water – you can see it coming up,” he says.
In Noel’s view, there are others worse off – he’s now got another local’s caravan on his block, which is higher ground than where it was previously. “If people ask me for help, I’d never say no,” he says.
Noel never knew his neighbours and now he does, and that’s what I took home to my kids.
Now she’s making it her business for her children, 9 and 7, to understand the importance of help. “Know your neighbours, feel safe in your communities, because when things get rough you can rely on those around you to help.”
The Power of Help is within us all. Communities are stronger together. As principle partner of the South Australian State Emergency Service (SASES) we thank all those who help volunteer their time for the safety of others. For more information on the SASES click here.
