Kelly and Dustin’s rental property in Castlemaine became unliveable after the floods last Friday.
Photo courtesy Tarrangower Times.
Kelly, who had spent the morning at a specialist appointment for her youngest son, went to the shops in Castlemaine for 15 minutes to buy supplies for the start of school, only to return home to find every room completely water-logged.
The family of five, their two dogs and three birds had nowhere to sleep and other than a few items of clothing rescued from high cupboards, had lost all of their belongings.
Kelly contacted the SES and Carolyn Ross, Acting Housing Worker at Mount Alexander Shire Council who began ringing businesses in the area to find the family accommodation. After an arduous search Carolyn Ross, Executive Manager at the shire, contacted Jamie Heffernan from Maldon Getaways who had a property available for the family and their pets.
Photo courtesy Tarrrangower Times
Kelly told the Times, “We’re waiting for the insurance company to come on Friday and assess the damage. We basically don’t have anything. Council has paid for five nights here, but after that we’re homeless. We’ve been talking to our real estate agent and they’re trying to find us somewhere to rent that’s fully furnished.
“We’re only three or four months off having our house built in Campbells Creek. We’ll just have to wait and see what the insurance company says.
“It’s been crazy and we’re just trying to hold our composure for the kids. They’re tired and had to go back to school on Monday, with our youngest starting his first day of prep.
“Two of our kids have autism, in-fact we got the diagnoses for the youngest earlier that day, so it’s been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, especially because they don’t have any of their toys or comforts.
“We’re lucky though. We’re safe and everyone’s been really supportive and hopefully the furnished house comes through.
“Carolyn at the Council has been amazing, she’s rung daily to see if we need anything. She’s really gone above and beyond for us.”
Many other locals and businesses in Castlemaine experienced loss and damage due to the severe weather front last Friday and local council has been working closely with affected residents and local emergency service team to assist.
A Mount Alexander Shire spokesperson told the Times, “Our staff have been busy assisting with the clean-up, attending to requests relating to incidents such as wash-out of gravel roads, and supporting a family who have been displaced by flooding of their home.
“Since Friday, council staff have been busy undertaking assessment and repairs, and working with impacted residents to ensure they are safe.
“Thank you to everyone who worked tirelessly over the weekend to ensure our community’s safety.”
This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 4 February 2022.
