Book launch showcases Rochester resilience

The glossy-paged, hard-cover book showcases more than 20 individual stories, edited by author Kathy Mexted, and was funded through the Campaspe Shire Council Flood Recovery Program, a Victorian and federal government arrangement.

Among the perspectives are those from people working in emergency services, education and health.

An official launch was held at the Rochester Shire Hall on Friday, September 12, featuring a Welcome to Country by Dja Dja Wurrung man Jason Kerr and panel discussions led by master of ceremonies John Atley.

The first set of panellists included The Big Flood author Kathy Mexted, pharmacist Brett Phillips, and Elmore local and flood insider Kris Rosaia.

“You’ve been on an incredible journey of rebuilding physically, emotionally, and together, and Big Flood is a testament to the strength of your community and the stories within it,” Ms Mexted said.

“We were one of the few health-related places left standing ... we did what we were supposed to,” Mr Phillips said.

“It's not easy when everyone in authority is saying, ‘it’s going to be this’ and your gut is saying, ‘I don’t believe that that’s right’,” Ms Rosaia said.

The second discussion featured real estate agent Luke Ryan, St Joseph’s Primary School principal Elizabeth Trewick and Anglicare’s Denise Roberts.

“I didn’t have time to think about what was going wrong, all you had time to think about was, ‘what can I do to make it better?’,” Mr Ryan said.

“Our teachers were amazing, and our community, we just banded together, and it was strong and powerful,” Ms Trewick said.

“Even though it’s taken such a long time for us to get to a new normal and town starting to thrive again, it hasn’t lost that personality,” Ms Roberts said.

The remaining contributors to The Big Flood were Judith Gledhill, John Atley, Maree Traill, Cameron Lovering, Narelle Fraser, Amanda Logie, Helen and Peter Ward, Essie Nelson, Margaret Pearson and Ethel Murphy, Darren Clarke, Leeanne Fullard, Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation, Eliza-Jane Watson, Sonya Else, Keith Fletcher and Leigh Wilson.

The front cover was illustrated by Angie Réhe, a former Rochester resident and current-day fashion illustrator.

Campaspe Shire Council was delighted to welcome Ms Réhe, the book’s contributors, Emergency Recovery Victoria, Ms Mexted and the wider community to the launch.

“The Big Flood is more than a record of events, it serves as a cathartic and healing resource, created to support emotional recovery and connection in the wake of the floods,” Mayor Daniel Mackrell said.

“This project exemplifies the power of community collaboration and storytelling in times of crisis.

“It is a tribute to the people of Rochester and a reminder of the importance of listening, sharing and healing together.”

Copies of The Big Flood are at Rochester Community House and available to pick up from the council service centre at 43-45 Mackay St, Rochester.