Fijian abattoir workers rescue Lismore locals from rooftops during record floods

A group of 40 Fijian abattoir workers became local heroes when they jumped in boats to rescue residents stranded on their rooftops in Lismore on Monday. And they’re not the only ones.

Apenisa Marau said he and more than 40 other Fijian men, who had just arrived in the area to work at a local abattoir, immediately volunteered to help rescue people from rooftops in boats across Lismore on Monday.

“With the boys, it is more just like an instinct — they just wanted to be out there to see what we could do for the community, it was such a coming together,” Mr Marau told The Daily Telegraph.

Apenisa Marau (black hoodie with white printed design) and his Fijian mates are lending a hand in Lismore.

“We were mostly out on boats just knocking on rooftops from one house to another to see if anyone was inside the house and trying to get them to safety.

“Most of them were on rooftops, whole double story houses were underwater.”

Mr Maura said his phone was inundated with calls after he sent messages saying him and the boys were willing to help.

“Most of the calls I wasn’t even able to answer, that’s why I had to provide my friends’ phone numbers too.”

BREWERY ROOFTOP A LIFELINE

Two Mates Brewing co-founder Grant Smith had to kick his way out of his Lismore brewery’s roof with his steel capped boots before helping to rescue his elderly neighbour, Ruby Moodley.

Mr Smith said Ms Moodley did not have long to live before a man on a surf ski took her from her house to the rooftop of his brewery as the menacing flood waters rose.

“It was extraordinary bravery, I don’t know his name … what he did, that saved her life,” Mr Smith said.

“She was sitting on her balcony holding onto her post – she was gone, she was 30m from my sight.

“She was on the brink of being washed away.”

Two Mates Brewing on February 27, before the floodwaters rose.

Mr Smith helped Ms Moodley keep safe before they were later plucked from the brewery’s rooftop by other Lismore residents on a boat.

An emotional Mr Smith said he was still coming to terms with his business being smashed by the flood.

“It was surreal, I’ve woken up this morning thinking it was a bad dream, I was isolated from my family, my business,” Mr Smith said.

“It’s only been running for about two months, to see it being pulled apart was quite devastating.

“It’s full front of mind.”