Shelley Rose was the Wellbeing officer for the huge area affected by the 2022 Murray River flood. She is a mental health practitioner and retired financial counsellor who has been deeply rooted in her local Riverland community for over 23 years.

Shelley's first task was understanding the varied needs of flood victims, from primary and secondary residents to elderly folks moving back to the city.

Traveling across 440 kilometres of affected areas, Shelley faced challenges like inaccessible roads, necessitating a switch to a four-wheel drive for effective outreach. Facilitating everything from generators for essential services to legal aid for insurance battles, she connected residents with vital resources.

She highlighted the rising mental health concerns two years after the flood, as ongoing stress and living conditions affected community resilience.

Shelley coordinated with Sophie Thompson from Gardening Australia to rejuvenate flood-ravaged gardens, including planting donated roses, which offered emotional solace to affected residents.

To assist with building community resilience, Shelley encouraged initiatives like accidental counselling courses and regular get-togethers to foster communal support and mental health awareness.

Tackling everything from mould treatments to financial planning, Shelley adapted solutions to meet the unique needs of each flood-affected household, helping sustain community hope.

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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.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/con...

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

Julie Ahrens began her journey as a bonded student teacher, ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities in rural Australia. Drawn by job prospects and adventure, Julie moved from to Berri where her passion for teaching and community blossomed.

Julie fully immersed herself in the Riverland lifestyle, cherishing the natural beauty and forming deep connections through local events and initiatives.

With a focus on information literacy, Julie who is a skilled storyteller, contributed significantly to training and development in rural schools during the 1980s.

Actively involved in local activities, Julie fostered strong ties within the community, understanding the unique culture and lifestyle of rural towns.

Julie led initiatives to repair community connections after the devastating floods, emphasising resilience and unity through creative and inclusive efforts.

Her dedication to strengthening community bonds and nurturing young leaders continues to leave a lasting impact in Riverland, building a robust support network.

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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.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/con...

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

After being an accountant with the Mid Murray Council, Simone had just been elected Mayor when she suddenly faced a major flood crisis, shifting quickly into immediate disaster management.

Simone rallied the community, organising meetings and delivering flyers to get everyone up to speed on flood risks and emergency plans.

Simone helped to successfully secure State Government funding and support, ensuring that essential services continued, and resources reached her community swiftly.

With insurance concerns rising, she tackled premium hikes, working to address affordability issues for affected residents.

Simone worked closely with other councils and the SES, emphasising teamwork and shared intelligence to manage the flood's impact effectively.

She also conducted numerous very successful media interviews with poise and determination to represent the true situation facing her community.

Throughout the catastrophic flood event, Simone highlighted community strength, focusing on recovery efforts and learning from the flood for future preparedness.

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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.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/con...

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team