Katie Matthews issues invite to Scott Morrison for Lismore flood tour

Katie Matthews repeatedly called triple-0 for someone to save her 69-year-old father from raging floodwaters in Lismore but no one came. On Wednesday, her invite to take the PM on a tour of the heartache went unanswered.

Mark FurlerNews regional national digital editor

@furlernator

4 min read

March 10, 2022 - 6:02AM

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NSW

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A woman who repeatedly called triple-0 to save her 69-year-old dad from raging floodwaters in Lismore issued an emotional invitation for Prime Minister Scott Morrison to visit her family home on Wednesday.

Katie Matthews, 43, who lives on the Gold Coast, said her father Bill Walsh was rescued by a local, Vincent Merrychurch, in his tinnie after she desperately posted on community Facebook sites pleading for someone to save him.

“I called triple-0 at least 5 times, my aunt called and so did a friend. SES was contacted at least three times, no one came for my Dad.

“They knew how critical it was to rescue him.

“I bombed (Facebook) begging for help on all the Lismore FB pages.

Her dad’s neighbour was on her roof and “selflessly told Vincent to save Dad first. “Had she not seen my FB posts she wouldn’t have known he was inside.”

“He was rescued just in time, water was up to his neck.”

“I felt so hopeless, I was doing everything I could think of to save his life.”

Bill Walsh, 69, surrounded by family friends who helped clean up his Lismore home after he was rescued from raging waters in the NSW flood.

Ms Matthews urged Mr Morrison to visit her and other locals so he could view “the town’s people’s life belongings and possessions on a mountainous pile of mud covered rubbish in their front yards”.

“Then you can do a tourist walk through the properties and really take in the stench, destruction, damage, filth and heartbreak that every single room has to offer.

“On exiting the property you can see the defeat, sadness, heartbreak and exhaustion on the faces and bodies of these homeowners and volunteers.

Just some of the rubbish outside Bill Walsh's Lismore home after the NSW flood. He was rescued after frantic triple-0 calls went unanswered. He was up to his neck in water when a local's tinnie arrived.

“They will offer a story of how one week ago they fought through the most horrific and terrifying night to preserve their own lives.

“As you leave, (you) will feel the determination, grit, mateship and heart of a community who has been abandoned and forgotten by its government.

“ And don‘t forget the insurance companies that are wiping their hands clean of its customers during their darkest hours.

Katie Matthews, 43, of the Gold Coast, has issued an emotional plea for Prime Minister Scott Morrison to visit her family home in Lismore and see first-hand what locals have been through in the NSW flood.

“I‘ll be in Kyogle Street if you want to have a chat, I can fill you in on the destruction, loss and trauma the community has been going through, as it seems you missed the memo!”

Mr Morrison visited Lismore on Wednesday but banned television cameras from his encounters with local residents and Ms Matthews confirmed she never got to see him.

The PM made several visits with an official photographer, but media outlets were not invited.

Mr Morrison said he wanted to allow residents to “speak from the heart” and not face media intrusion.

“Out of respect for the privacy of those I came to speak to,” he said.

“In these disasters, not everybody wants a camera shoved in their face. I came down to listen to them and what they are going through and understand what was needed for their primary production business, paint business, all those householders, what was needed to make sure we can get this town back on its feet, and that is assisting me with other matters.

“The primary purpose is to make sure I understand fully what we need to do, and the alignment of what our plans are and our announcements are with the needs here in the community.”

Mr Morrison also said he “wouldn’t cop” criticism of the Australian Defence Force as he was asked whether or not it was the case that a majority of rescues were by private citizens in tinnies and crowdfunded helicopters.

During the press conference, one journalist shouted that people “couldn’t get through on 000”. “Let’s just do this civilly,” Mr Morrison responded.

The Prime Minister, joined by Page MP Kevin Hogan, Lismore mayor Steve Krieg and Richmond Valley mayor Robert Mustow, visited farms, homes and small businesses in the Lismore area.

His arrival at the Lismore City Council building in Goonellabah ahead of a press conference was met with a group of angry protesters, many of them calling for action on climate change.

Wayne Kennedy and Donna Worley at Lismore. Picture Lyn Mccarthy

Ms Matthews said the people of Lismore had lost everything and now there was the added stress that their homes may be condemned.

She said the destruction was “1000 times worse’’ than what people saw on television.

She said the government financial assistance to date had been woeful.

“All they have been offered is $1000, that doesn‘t even cover a change of clothes and the cleaning products needed to clean their properties.”

Chloe Latimer and Max Walker Lismore aftermath. Picture Lyn Mccarthy

On Monday, she shared a photo of her dad in front of their family home surrounded by family friends who had helped in the clean-up.

“That’s my Dad Bill, Lismore local through and through. Has lived in that house for 40 years, never has he experienced a flood like this. The group of men with him are our family friends.”