David “Cowboy” Haines loses everything in flood, fundraiser launched

The Gympie AFL caretaker had been helping evacuate the club house when he realised too late that the rising Mary River had cut off the road out. What happened next left him with almost nothing.

The Gympie AFL club is rallying behind its home ground caretaker after he lost almost everything he owned in the weekend’s devastating floods.

Club secretary Mitch Maddock said Cowboy (David John Haines) lost his caravan and belongings when the floodwaters swamped the Cats’s home ground at Six Mile, on the southern outskirts of Gympie, on Friday.

Mr Haines had been helping other Cats members evacuate items from the clubhouse ahead of the rising water.

Unfortunately, when it came time to drive his own ute laden with his belongings out to safety, he found the driveway under water.

His ute then became stuck on train tracks as he sought another escape route, and he was forced to leave it behind.

“The water rose so quickly all that he could get out was a few tins of food and two spare sets of clothes,” Mr Maddock said.

Mr Haines spent two nights sleeping at the RSPCA before SES crews were able to evacuate him into Gympie.

Mr Maddock said Mr Haines was in “good spirits” but had been left with no possessions and nowhere to live.

Mr Haines was helping club members evacuate gear from the Six Mile AFL grounds when the floodwaters hit; he was unable to get his ute out and lost everything.

The onsite caravan Cowboy called home was destroyed by the floodwaters, which peaked at 22.96m – the second highest on record.

He did not believe Mr Haines, who has been the caretaker for five years, had any family in the region.

Mr Maddock has now launched a GoFundMe campaign with the hope of helping Cowboy back on his feet.

It has so far attracted more than $4600 support, and there had been several offers of temporary caravan accommodation and bedding until a new home could be bought.

“He’s always giving his time to everyone else, always willing to assist,” Mr Maddock said.

“He’s one of those guys that every club needs.

“Cowboy is a much-loved character in and around our club; he volunteers endless hours assisting our AFL club, never asking anything in return.

“It‘s now time we band together and give something back to someone who gives everyone so much.”

Originally published as David “Cowboy” Haines loses everything in flood, fundraiser launched