Emergency relief centres a crucial lifeline amid SA’s flood crisis

Emergency relief centres are proving to be a crucial lifeline amid the state’s flooding crisis, with a displaced family saying the support has even helped save Christmas.

Emergency relief centres are proving to be a crucial lifeline amid the state’s flooding crisis, according to some of those hit hardest by the rising waters.

The state government established dedicated relief centres in Berri and Mannum to help residents access accommodation assistance, financial help, Foodbank, community service organisations and the Red Cross.

Gypsy Peace and Buddy Snewin, with dog Humphry, are thankful for the support at the Mannum emergency relief centre. Photo: Dylan Hogarth

For Blanchetown mum Gypsy Peace Snewin and her 10-year-old son Buddy – who had no choice but to flee their inundated home – the support at the Mannum relief centre had been “unbelievable”.

“We started to watch the water rising and we saw all the shack owners escaping; they were filing out like rats abandoning a sinking ship and that’s when we knew we were in trouble and we got out just in time,” she said.

“It’s been an overwhelming experience but coming here and getting the support that I didn’t even realise would be available, it humbles you.

“(I have) overwhelming gratitude for the help we have got – even fuel vouchers, Foodland vouchers,” she said.

“If we didn’t have this support, Buddy and I would be in one of the refugees in the camp stretchers... if this wasn’t set up we’d be struggling and feeling very alone.”

She even said there would be presents under the Christmas tree this weekend, thanks to support from the agencies.

Marion Martin and Bruce and Judy Harris volunteer to serve meals at the Mannum emergency relief centre. Photo: Dylan Hogarth

Visiting the Mannum centre on Wednesday, Mid Murray Mayor Simone Bailey paid tribute to the agencies who she said were going “above and beyond” to support her community in its time of need.

She said she was “amazed” just how much support was on offer at the centres, with agencies working together to find solutions for people dealing with issues from needing emergency accommodation, to agricultural dilemmas, through to general support queries.

“Just yesterday there was a story of a pet turtle and parrot stuck on the second floor of a home and the relief centre helped with that, a woman from PIRSA, they are going over and above,” she said.

Mayor Bailey said she found there was resistance from people to seek help but encouraged residents to visit and not “go it alone”.

“People from the country find it hard to ask for help and always think there is someone else worse off but I just think in this situation I think we should take the help that has been given to us,” she said.

“There is SES up there, rural business support agencies, Housing SA … people can go from table to table and get help everywhere, even places they never would have thought would be able to help.”

Member for Hammond Adrian Pederick – the Shadow Minister for Emergency Services – joined in the applause for the relief centre initiative.

“The agencies, the Chaplins, the Red Cross, the Lions – it’s working very well as a one-stop shop and in regards to what Centrelink do, people just pull it all gets processed and their change of circumstances is immediately ratified,” he said.

“I have only had positive feedback … I encountered someone who had his power cut off from his business in Mannum the other day because there was water entering his business and he said he visited and found exactly what he needed to know without leaving.

Adrian Pederick visits the Mannum relief centre. Picture: Facebook.

“People aren’t having to chase services, or head out of Mannum into Murray Bridge or further afield into Adelaide – it’s fantastic.”

Mr Pederick said 56 people attended the relief centre at Mannum for support on Tuesday with at least 30 more visiting up until lunch time on Wednesday.

“The beauty of these people is they are working right through Christmas, including Christmas Day and I can’t thank them enough for the work they are doing for this community,” he said.

Another emergency relief centre is set to open in Murray Bridge on January 5 at the Rambler Football Club as the peak flows head towards the lower regions of the Murray.