Mark grew up visiting the river and eventually moved with his family to the banks of the Murray for a relaxed country lifestyle. He became part of a small, friendly community where people help each other, and boating is part of everyday life for locals and visitors alike.

Mark’s kids thrived in a tiny school, and the family enjoyed close ties, with local traditions centred around the water and time spent outdoors together.

When the 2022 flood came, Mark watched his home disappear beneath slowly rising water, leaving the area looking like an inland sea.With his house gone, Mark depended on relief centres and friends, moving between hotel rooms and a rental while waiting months for water to go down.

He describes how the neighbourhood worked together cleaning thick mud, stripping homes and sharing help, all while supporting each other through the stress and slow rebuilding.

Mark reflects on loss and change but still values river life, new friendships, and the strong community that pulled together during tough times.

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We hope that you enjoyed this episode of River Murray Recovery Stories, brought to you by Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

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Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team