Mannum’s untold flood stories shared at book launch

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The 2022–23 River Murray flood may have passed, but for many, the damage and trauma linger.

For some, recovery could take a lifetime.

On a crisp evening last Thursday, locals gathered at the Mannum Community Club not just to sip tea and share memories, but to honour a significant chapter in Mannum’s history.

The launch of the book Our River Murray: Stories of Resilience and Recovery from the 2022–2023 Flood brought together survivors, photographers, leaders, and supporters to reflect, heal, and offer hope.

The book features 15 individuals who bravely shared their stories, representing a diverse range of experiences from across the flood-affected region.

The community-driven project, jointly funded by the Commonwealth and South Australian governments, was delivered by Kintsugi Heroes.

The name “Kintsugi” comes from the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, highlighting the cracks rather than hiding them.

It symbolises embracing imperfections and finding strength through healing.

This philosophy perfectly reflects the organisation’s mission: helping people find their own power to heal and be healed by exploring their journey and sharing it with others.

Shared experiences connect us, founder says

After a 42-year career in IT project management, Ian Westmoreland OAM experienced a turning point in 2013 that led him to dedicate himself fully to voluntary, non-profit work.

In 2022, he founded Kintsugi Heroes – a national, community-driven initiative committed to sharing authentic stories of resilience – in Sydney.

“Our aim is to honour these courageous individuals who’ve stepped forward to share their lived experiences,” he said.

“It’s about encouraging communities to speak more openly about tough times and to listen with compassion when others share theirs.”

One of the project’s biggest challenges, he noted, was ensuring diversity among storytellers.

“I’ve seen firsthand how these stories strengthen communities,” he said.

“They open doors, deepen relationships, and remind people they’re not alone.”

For his work in mental health and community support, Mr Westmoreland was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2024.

John Milham, director of Kintsugi Heroes and host of the River Murray Recovery Stories series, brought deep empathy to the role.

With personal experience of growing up in flood-prone Wee Waa, he understood the emotional aftermath natural disasters leave behind.

Mr Milham is also the New South Wales coordinator for Lived Experience Australia, a group facilitator for Parents Beyond Breakup, a suicide prevention consultant, and chair of Northern Beaches Cares.

At the Mannum launch, his gentle, well-considered questions created a safe and respectful space for shared storytelling.

“I feel privileged to speak with people affected by disasters, whether they’re happy, angry, or sad,” he said.

“We help people tell the stories they need to share, so others can find the stories they need to hear.”

Mayor reflects on leadership in the eye of the storm

Simone Bailey, Mayor of the Mid Murray Council, was sworn in just one day after the flood emergency was declared in November 2022.

With a strong background in financial management and public service, she stepped into her new role amid one of the most challenging periods the community has faced.

“Every day brought new challenges for different people,” she recalled.

“It was a tough time.

“I even found myself a little traumatised by everything we were going through and the difficult conversations I had daily.

“But we made it through together, and we made a difference.”

Ms Bailey spoke passionately about the power of sharing lived experiences as a way to raise awareness and attract support.

“I’ve learned that telling our stories really matters,” she said.

“At first, people weren’t helping – not because they didn’t care, but because they didn’t understand what we were facing.

“That was a big lesson for me.”

Despite being the mayor, Ms Bailey preferred to see herself as a community person, not a politician.

“I don’t like politics,” she said.

“I just want to do my best to help make our region a better place for everyone.”

She credited her resilience to strong support networks and the willingness to speak openly about mental health.

“I’ve faced mental health challenges before, so I knew when to ask for help,” she said.

“During the flood, I sought counselling and worked closely with Caring Connected Communities, formerly the Mid Murray Suicide Prevention Network, to support others who were struggling.”

What truly sustained her, though, was always knowing there was someone she could call when needed.

Her message to the community was hopeful and direct:

“Our community is incredibly resilient,” she said.

“We’ve always had each other’s backs.

“If you need help, I’m here, your council is here – we’re in this together.

“Now more than ever, it’s important to keep sharing our stories, with each other and beyond.”

Man behind the lens has his moment

Among the 14 heroes featured was Paul “Jubba” Smith, the local photographer whose powerful images of the flood became iconic.

During the crisis, he voluntarily captured more than 30,000 photos, creating a vital visual record for the community.

“I was born with a vision mindset – I use my camera to tell stories,” he said.

“One day I’d love to make a picture book, but for now, I’m happy to share these photos to remind and inspire people.”

His work didn’t just document the flood – it brought people together.

In 2022, Jubba earned a nomination for the prestigious Ryde International Connecting Communities Award, in recognition of his impact through art.

Family shares a personal flood story

Also among the attendees was a family profoundly impacted by the 2022–23 River Murray flood: Margaret Haythorpe, her daughter Dinah Bond, and Margaret’s sister Fay.

As they shared their experience, Ms Bond became overcome with emotion and broke into tears.

She then revealed photos showing how much of their riverfront property had been submerged.

“Our family has always lived by the Murray River in Mannum – it goes back to my grandparents’ time,” she said.

“They lived through the 1956 flood, so we knew how bad it could get.

“In August 2022, we were in Victoria, near the NSW border, and saw how high the water levels were there.

“That’s when it hit us: the flood was coming, and it was real.

“A lot of people didn’t believe it would be serious, but we did.

“As soon as we got back from that trip, we started preparing for the disaster.”

Ms Bond shared a heartfelt message: “Sandbags are too time-consuming and not effective for anything longer than a flash flood,” she said.

“In future, we will focus on moving everything as quickly as possible.”

She also expressed deep gratitude.

“Thanks to the support from our family and the community, we’ve almost recovered from this disaster,” she said.

“But I know there are still people out there who didn’t have insurance, or who are still dealing with the emotional trauma, the stress, and the deep sense of loss that can linger long after the waters recede – people who are still in need of help.”

Get your copy of Our River Murray

Our River Murray is not just a keepsake.

It is a living document; a tribute to the resilience of river communities, the power of storytelling, and the healing impact of coming together.

Through words and images, it preserves a shared history and carries a powerful message:you are not alone and your story matters.

If you have your own flood story to share, please feel free to contact Murray Bridge News.

Your experiences can help our community heal and grow stronger together.

The book was printed by volunteers, with 200 copies distributed through free giveaways at Mannum and Renmark.

Its stories remind us that no one is alone, and every story shared helps another find strength.

• Read Our River Murray: Stories of Resilience and Recovery from the 2022–2023 Flood: www.kintsugiheroes.com.au.
• Watch/listen to the River Murray Recovery Stories podcast: Visit www.youtube.com or search for River Murray Recovery Stories wherever you get your podcasts.