Family positive in recovery

Flood victim John Morrison with sons Jude, Fionn and Edward.

John Morrison, his wife Mary, and their five children were halfway moved into their newly purchased home at Milton in early January when the flood hit.

They had partly updated the old Queenslander and moved some of the major appliances and furniture in, ready for a new life in the former boarding house, which had a bedroom for each of the five children.

The house was inundated, destroying all of the ground floor level, the footings and partly flooding the second floor.

John says after their initial shock and disappointment, the support they received from neighbours, family, friends and even strangers had buoyed their spirits and made them see the positive side.

“People just came up to us to help us, we didn’t know them from a bar of soap,”
he says.

“We’ve been luckier than some — we had insurance that covered flooding.

“Although we’re not in yet, we are very grateful to everyone who has helped us over the past 12 months.

“I think in some ways it has brought our community closer together, knowing that there are so many people and organisations out there who will help you in your time of need.”