Our beautiful valley was hit very hard by our last flood in July with the highest flood levels since 1949. In some spots, the highest ever on record. It has knocked our community very hard. No one has been unaffected, and we are all still in shock and disbelief about what has happened here. Losses have been immense. Homes, possessions, animals, paddocks, fences, riverbanks and landscape, either gone, buried or destroyed. And mountains of sand and mud now dominate the landscape and what was once green with grass is now brown and desolate. There is an enormous job to clean up and it will take years for the system to somewhat restore itself. It is a grim reminder of nature’s power. And it’s not over yet! We now await another one to come in coming months and while we clean-up we prepare for the next which will be our third major flood in twelve months.
Our lowest moment here at PSI and Bandusia is balanced by the beauty of the valley and its people. The hardship has bonded us into a special tribe. A tribe that has given us deep understanding of flooding, practical skills, knowledge, strength, problem solving abilities and great resilience.
BEFORE the flood. DURING: The flood was much higher than this coming close to the top of Bandusia driveway. AFTER: From green to brown after floods on the farm July 2022. Paddocks covered by sand and mud and riverbanks smashed. Life goes on and the clean-up continues.
It has taken us awhile to resurface after this experience and gain some strength. However, we are now back on board at least till the next flood and hope to have two spring Permabees in September over two weekends if you would like to join us and give a hand to get back to planting of our new bush tucker food forest on the farm. Hopefully all the other courses and workshops will go ahead and not be interrupted by future floods.
On a positive note, the citrus is booming, the broad bean crop that the flood completely covered is jumping out of the ground, and the winter sunsets are stunning. The new terraced swales in the bush tucker food forest are in miraculous nick and now captured all the silt and nutrients to set up the new trees for years to come. Come and see for yourself!
