$6 million goal for Mick Fanning film

By Samantha Elley

A new film that documents the 2022 floods on the Northern Rivers is to be previewed to local residents next month.

With never before seen footage of the flood, film makers Terry Webster and Stuart McKay of Free Flow Films have put together ‘Washed Away: A Triumph of Human Strength and Unity’.

The narrative by professional surfer Mick Fanning, who himself had been on hand to rescue many from the flood, follows the locals who defied the odds, stepping forward to lend a hand to strangers, even at the risk of their own lives.

The film has a deeper purpose as well, and that is to raise $6 million to continue fixing flood-damaged homes through the volunteer-run Hands and Hearts Project, which to date has raised $65,000 through the Mick Fanning Charity Golf Day and private donations, along with $180,000 in donated materials.

“There’s been an inequitable distribution of flood funding from the start,” said Lyndall Murray of the Hands and Hearts Project. “Our elderly are facing their third winter in caravans, living in mouldy cold homes or in temporary housing. We need a faster rollout of the $790 million resilient homes program to ensure our community isn’t left behind.”

“We need investment in infrastructure and sports facilities to help the Mid Richmond river towns thrive on the floodplain like they have for generations. We must see continued government investment to help protect the life savings people have in their homes and businesses.”

Featuring music by Silverchair, Goanna, Pete Murray, Tex Perkins, Noiseworks, Hussy Hicks, Filipe Baldomir, Ben Jenz, and Israel Cannan, the film aims to raise $6 million, with 50% of profits going to the Hands and Hearts Project via the Mid Richmond Neighbourhood Centre.

The creators are offering anyone who has the capacity to watch the story ahead of the streaming release next month, the chance to see the film and provide feedback while it is still in post production.

WASHED AWAY – PREVIEW UNCUT (Almost Finished) FREE COMMUNITY SCREENINGS 

• Friday 16th August 2024 5:30pm Broadwater Community Centre
• Saturday 17th August 2024 12:00PM, Evans Head Recreational Hall
• Saturday 17th August 2024 5:30pm, Woodburn Memorial Hall

LIMITED TICKETS – Must Register for FREE entry. The trailer can be seen here.

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WILLIAMSON RENEWS CALLS FOR RIVER DREDGING

State Nationals MP for Clarence Richie Williamson has renewed calls in the NSW Parliament for the Minns Labor Government to implement a 10-year dredging strategy for the Clarence and Evans rivers, similar to plans the Government has put in place to dredge Swansea Channel in the Lake Macquarie region to improve navigation and provide improved access.

Mr Williamson recently moved a motion in the NSW Parliament calling on the Minns Labor Government to develop a long-term dredging plan for both the Clarence and Evans rivers systems.

“In river communities like ours, continual maintenance of rivers like the Clarence and Evans rivers is essential on many levels, including environmental, economic and recreational,” Mr Williamson said.

“These rivers are the lifeblood of communities that live along them, and it is evident that dredging is required to keep them in optimum health.

“The Yamba and Evans boat harbours are home to a commercial fishing fleet, a booming recreational fishing and boating enthusiasts and a significant maritime sector, including Marine Rescue. Hundreds and hundreds of jobs could be at risk if action isn’t taken.”

Mr Williamson said in addition, the continuing silting up of the river’s ecosystem increases the risk of flooding in terms of river height and flow rates.

“I will work with the NSW Government to get these very important projects underway, which will benefit the entire community,” Mr Williamson concluded.

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“There are certain people who are part of my heart”

By Samantha Elley

For the last 40 years, patients and staff of the Evans Head Medical Centre have had the pleasure of dealing with Marion Smith, but that came to an end last Monday week when she finally retired from a job she never expected to have.

“I took my baby to the doctor when he was nine months old,” Said Marion Smith.

“And they offered the job to me.

“I wasn’t looking for a job and they were the days that Paul Walsh and Ernie Finberg were the doctors and Lorraine Aleckson was there. We are now lifelong friends.”

That baby, Brock, is now 40 years old and Marion has done reception, practice management and dealing with the many people who have walked through the doors of the small village practice over that time.

“And it’s become a generational thing,” she said.

“The people that were little people when I started, they have brought in their babies and they treat you like their aunty.

“It’s just the most beautiful feeling.”

Marion said she has been through the tragedies and joys with many of the clients to the practice, and while others would shy away from such emotion, she takes a different view.

“It’s a real privilege to be part of someone’s terrible sorrow,” she said.

“For them to share it with you.”

Being part of the community has been a great joy for Marion as well, as people share their lives with her.

“It’s like an extended family,” she said.

“There are certain people who are part of my heart.”

One of the biggest changes Marion has seen over her time at the practice has been the growth of the town.

The need for new doctors to attend to the increasing population, meant that she had to help source doctors from further afield.

“I negotiated with people in America to bring the doctors over,” she said.

“Female doctors in our little town. That was a big change.”

Covid was a tumultuous time for the practice as well.

“Covid was scary,” Marion said.

“You really had to think about going to work, as I’m an asthmatic so I really got a bit (worried).

“Then I thought, it’s important because if we don’t come…it’s very hard when you can’t cuddle people, when they walk up to the counter and they are in tears.”

Then there was the patient who was a cat.

“At one stage I had a patient come around the back door with their cat for the doctor to try and save,” laughed Marion.

“There was no vet back then.

“Poor Dr Walsh tried to stitch the cat up.”

Marion’s lasting memories will be the many patients and staff she has worked with, but she is also looking forward to time with her family and indulging in her hobby of house decorating.

“I get to go home,” she said.

“In all my lifetime I’ve never had time at home.

“I’ve worked the whole time and now I get to enjoy my family.”

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