Three years ago, the Maribyrnong community faced the devastating 2022 river floods.
Hundreds of homes and public spaces were impacted.
To mark this anniversary, Maribyrnong council has put together a series of projects that remember the events and celebrate the strength and creativity of the community., while also recognising that some residents continue to be displaced and many affected by the significant impacts of the flood.
Deputy mayor Bernadette Thomas said the third anniversary allows the community to reflect on the recovery over the last three years, while focusing on the ongoing journey to build a safer and flood-resilient Maribyrnong.
“Three years on, these projects offer a chance for reflection. They acknowledge the challenges faced, honour the resilience and creativity of the Maribyrnong community, and mark an important milestone in our ongoing recovery journey,” Cr Thomas said.
“As part of this journey, council continues to listen and advocate on behalf of the community to ensure we are implementing measures to prevent or mitigate future flood damage.”
A community event, Mighty Stories, Mighty Community, was held on Saturday 11 October offering those wanting to mark the anniversary, a chance to come together.
Council said the event featured screenings shorts films, live music and an artist talk on the new public artwork in Coulson Gardens.
Council is also launching a children’s book, We Watched Our River Rise – written by young people from the Maribyrnong community, delivered in partnership with 100 Story Building and Cohealth.
It said the project gives voice to the perspectives of the next generation, reflecting their experiences and resilience during the floods.
Mary Cameron, a Community Recovery Committee member whose vision led to the children’s book project, said the project was a way to support healing through storytelling.
“An unexpected event on an ordinary day leaves a memory on a child in a way they can only express it in word or image or drawing or in their games and play. This book is a small step in their journey to recovery to resilience to walk and live by their river everyday” Mary said.
