Olympian’s family home smashed by Cyclone Alfred

Olympian Brooke Hanson is reeling but staying positive after her childhood home was smashed by Cyclone Alfred.

The Hanson family in front of the tree which crashed through Brooke’s childhood room. Left to Right: Ian Hanson, Sue Hanson, Billy Clarke, Matilda Clarke, Brooke Hanson. Picture: Robert White.

Olympian Brooke Hanson is reeling but staying positive after her childhood home was smashed by Cyclone Alfred.

Hanson, who won gold and silver medals in the 4x100m medley and 100m breaststroke at the Athens Olympics as well as a 2005 world championship, was stunned when she heard the Tallebudgera Valley home had been slammed by a massive gum tree at the height of the super storm.

The tree smashed crashed through the roof of rooms including her old bedroom.

A member of the extended family was staying in the room at the time but miraculously got up to go to the bathroom at the exact time the gum impacted the house.

For the Hanson family the loss is devastating but “the bottom line is everyone has survived and we’re all safe.”

The damage inside Brooke Hanson’s childhood room where a guest miraculously avoided the destruction. Picture: Robert White.

“It was more the emotion of mum and dad being OK and no one’s hurt,” Ms Hanson said. “But to see your bed and your room with so many memories destroyed, it was hard, it was emotional.”

Brooke purchased the bed at 17 with money won from an early swimming competition.

“It’s hard to process when it’s your family home, mum and dad have been here 27 years, my brother got married on this property, my sister got married on this property, we’ve all had our 21st’s, 30th’s here, this is our home office for Hanson media group as well, this place just means so much to us.”

Parents Ian and Sue Hanson recalled the harrowing moment the gum struck

“We were sort of twiddling our thumbs, knowing we were sitting ducks, hoping and praying that the trees would all stay in the ground but knowing full well where we live anything’s possible. We were sitting in the house when we heard this absolutely horrendous noise.”

Ian and Sue Hanson with the tree that crashed through their home. Picture: Robert White.

“When the boys came in and told us what had happened we were just in absolute shock, a lot of hugs were going around. Who knows what could have happened if [the family member using the room] hadn’t gotten up at that time.”

Mr Hanson, a journalist, surf life saving identity and former Swimming Australia media manager, said it was “a massive shock to the system” when the tree came crashing down.

“The next night, another tree crashed onto our driveway and it’s still there.

A tree lying across the driveway of the Hanson residence. Picture: Robert White.

“It’s like a war zone from our place down to Elanora with trees on the road. But thank goodness, the bottom line is that everyone has survived and we’re all safe.

“It’s hard to bring the kids up and for them to see, it’s a shock for them, they’re used to coming up here and playing soccer and footy on the front lawn.”

Brooke said the community outreach throughout the trying time had kept them going.

“We’ve had messages from what feels like the entire Australian Olympic team, it’s just been so wonderful to feel that love and support when you start feeling a bit flat,” she said.

Among the wellwishers was fellow Olympic legend Dawn Fraser, who sent her best wishes to the family as they recover.

Originally published as Olympian’s family home smashed by Cyclone Alfred