South Lismore flood battler Roger Manby, 86, finally home 18 months after 2022 floods destroyed his home

A Northern Rivers man who clung to the roof of his home as dirty floodwater surged throughout the region in the 2022 flood crisis has finally moved back into his beloved home. Here’s his story.

Hammond Care Regional Manager Jodi Peel with Roger Manby at his rebuilt home.

A Northern Rivers man who clung to the roof of his home as dirty floodwater surged throughout the region in the 2022 flood crisis has finally moved back into his beloved home.

Ex-navy officer and retiree Roger Manby, 86, has waited 18 arduous months while his son Jay Manby and a carpenter friend stripped the flood-damaged property and made it a real home once more.

Mr Manby, soon to turn 87, was caught off guard by the sudden ferocity and height of the water in the record natural disasters.

He was woken by his son Rory Manby about 3am and told “we better get out”.

Lismore's Roger Manby, with daughter-in-law Arlene, waiting on his roof in February 2022. Picture: Supplied

Rory and his partner Arlene, who were staying with Mr Manby during the crisis, helped him climb over railing and up the roof while they waited to be rescued in icy rain.

During the rebuild, Mr Manby stayed in a spare bedroom at his other son Jay Manby’s house at Eltham, about several kilometres from Lismore.

While grateful for all the help, Mr Manby said he was delighted to be back in his own home.

Hammond Care regional manager Jodi Peel with Roger Manby in his rebuilt kitchen.

Mr Manby’s aged care provider Hammond Care provided a donation of $8000 through its charitable arm The Hammond Care Foundation.

Jay and a carpenter friend replaced floors and walls and fitted the house out with a new bathroom and kitchen, with the help of the donation.

Lismore's Roger Manby with Hammond Care worker Charlotte Arneault.

Mr Manby’s son Rory, who recently relocated to the United States for work, passed on a near-new fridge and large screen TV, which was big help.

“I’ve now got better stuff than I’ve ever had before,” Mr Manby said.

A new airconditioning system, with its compressor wisely placed on the roof, has been installed for a bargain price and bathroom tiles were leftovers from a supermarket contract.

The aftermath of the floods. Picture: Jason O'Brien

“For 18 months I’ve been living in one room at my son’s place,” Mr Manby said.

“I could stretch out on the right-hand side of the bed and the left-hand side and that was it.

“Now I have two bedrooms, a lounge room and a separate dining room and a kitchen.

“What more could you ask for? This now feels palatial.”

Roger Manby back at home. Picture: Elise Derwin

Already, valued memorabilia from years of a career at sea is back hanging on the walls.

Jodi Peel, regional manager of Hammond Care, said: “Listening to Roger share stories of his time in the navy warms my heart.”

The foundation raised $85,000 specifically to assist clients and staff impacted by the floods, with another $10,000 donated to the Lismore Flood Appeal in 2022.

While much of Mr Manby’s home has been fixed, it still needs some work underneath.

There’s plans for a work studio down the line.

Roger Manby, 86, with NSW Premier Chris Minns (left) at Hammond Care’s opening in Lismore. Picture: Elise Derwin

Mr Manby remains independent and regularly attends University of the Third Age.

“I don’t know where else I’d want to go – this is where I want to be,” Mr Manby said.

“I think I went to 65 different countries when I was in the navy, by my count, so I’ve done my moving around.”

While Mr Manby and other flood survivors have moved home or found suitable housing elsewhere, many in the community are still struggling to find their feet.