President Doug and Anne Scott drove to Rochester to meet with the Rochester Rotarians to see what we can do to assist the residents still living in caravans and sheds 11 months since the flood.The main street of Rochester was fairly quiet and although some shops were open again others were still needing renovations and some to be demolished. The café where we had lunch still had th
e metre high water mark on the wall. The green of the grass on the nature strip was a welcome bit of colour.
e metre high water mark on the wall. The green of the grass on the nature strip was a welcome bit of colour.Meeting face to face with Bryan and Angela we became very aware of the depth of the stress and trauma that they and others are still dealing with. We were asked to help with $50 vouchers from the Garden Centre for people to buy seeds and plants to restart their gardens and to have something to look forward to as spring comes and Doug was able to organise this, Another project to be investigated was to re-establish the Mens Shed.
Bryan took us to his home to see where he is at with the renovations. The flood water had lifted the house off its stumps so they were replaced but all fittings, plaster and some floor boards have been removed. A health check was held this week to see if the timbers are OK.
For the last 11 months Bryan has lived in a caravan in a shed with one power line allowed but at least being in a shed he has some extra undercover storage.
The community is planning a Return to Rochester event to mark 1 year since the flood and to encourage people to return to Rochester.
We append a copy of the letter from President Doug to Rochester residents, which includes a $50 garden voucher -
