Hemsworth brothers, Pat Rafter in flood clean-up, as locals demand action

The brothers of Thor megastar Chris Hemsworth have joined tennis legend Pat Rafter in massive community-led clean-up efforts in Lismore just up the road from their Byron Bay homes.

The brothers of Thor megastar Chris Hemsworth have joined tennis legend Pat Rafter in massive community-led clean-up efforts in Lismore just up the road from their Byron Bay homes.

Luke and Liam Hemsworth, along with Rafter have been snapped by grateful locals, who hope the post will shame authorities into a bigger government response to the crisis.

Ben Gordon, who initially shared the pictures, described the scenes in Lismore as confronting.

“This is a proper national disaster and needs serious government support ASAP,’’ he said.

The Saturday Telegraph reported that towns ruined by record flooding in northern NSW have been left living in “squalor”, with no access to services, food, petrol, phone reception or the internet.

Worn-down residents from Mullumbimby to Woodburn and Ballina said they felt forgotten, firstly when the actual floodwaters hit due to a lack of warning, and now in the aftermath with supply lines and communications failing.

Piles of flood-damaged goods line a main street in Lismore. (Photo by Dan Peled/Getty Images)

It‘s a sentiment being widely shared on social media with many saying residents have been left to rescue themselves and then clean up the flood mess with little support from government authorities.

In Ballina on Friday, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet admitted there ‘should have been better co-ordination on the ground’.

“I don’t want to see any of those things happen again,” he said.

“We‘ve got to learn from this.’’

In Lismore on Saturday, the Premier announced the Australian Defence Force will deploy an extra 900 personnel in the Northern Rivers from Sunday.

The federal government had offered on Saturday to send 5000 personnel overall and she hoped they would arrive in the region “really quickly”.

Others, including those in Byron, pointed the finger directly at the federal government.

“Thanks to everyone cleaning up alongside these relatively unknown blokes. @hemsworthluke @liamhemsworth @patrafter72 and Simon Baker we know you are all in too @snappytoes,’’ a post from This is Byron said.

“The reason I am sharing as these guys get the media attention that we need which in turn will make sure no one forgets how much there is to do.

“Especially you @scottmorrisonmp @peterduttonmp and the rest of you that have the power to allocate millions and send in more ADF!!”

People clean debris from a flood-damaged business in Lismore, Australia.

All three of the Hemsworth brothers, including mega star Chris Hemsworth, live in Byron Bay.

Luke and Liam Hemsworth were tagged in the post while there is a picture of Luke piling debris in a heap while another shows Liam helping to clear out a damaged house.

A video of Liam Hemsworth has also been shared on Twitter.

New. @LiamHemsworth helping clean a house out with friends due to the floods in Lismore, Australia. Hoping everyone is safe. March 4, 2022. pic.twitter.com/yccRO1tlT1

— Liam Hemsworth (@liamhemswsource) March 4, 2022

The Daily Telegraph earlier reported that Chris Hemsworth’s wife Elsa Petaky and there three children were trapped in their house by floodwaters.

Outside the Courthouse Hotel in Mullumbimby. Picture: Liana Boss

Liam was seen volunteering at Newrybar Town Hall, where he helped sort through damaged property.

Chris Hemsworth — who’s filming overseas — posted messages on Instagram shouting out the volunteers working through the floods.

In his post, Chris wrote: “Absolutely devastating watching some of the worst floods in Australia’s history hitting Queensland and NSW.

“Heroic efforts by everyone involved in rescuing thousands of people who have been stranded. Lots of love to everyone who has been effected and a big shout out to all who had a boat or jet ski and launched straight into rescue missions without hesitation. True heroes.”

Elsa Pataky, was also amazed by the community effort.

“Northern Rivers and beyond had been hit by the worst floods in history. People have spent hours waiting on rooftops to be rescue. Thanks to all those who are able to help save people and animals stranded by the floodwaters, you are the real hero’s. So amazing to watch how everyone pulls together in a disaster and helps the community. Our hearts go out to those affected by the floods. Stay safe!’

Lismore businesses threaten to leave

Meanwhile, Lismore small business owners say they are on the brink of walking away for good after they say they were priced out of flood insurance.

Alan Bench was busy clearing out equipment from The Bunker Health and Fitness and Lismore Infrared Sauna.

The Ballina Road stores had only been accessible by boat just two days earlier.

He has been a business owner for more than a decade in Lismore having run his gym and sauna for seven years and a Blockbuster video store before that.

He said he was quoted $2000 a month for flood insurance for his gym and sauna a few years ago and passed on the quote because it was unaffordable.