By STEVE GRAY
MEMORIES of floods aren’t always welcome, but a DVD produced by Southern Downs locals is testimony to the strength of community, courage and resilience.
In Their Own Words comprises 12 interviews with some of those who endured the 2010 and 2011 floods across the Southern Downs, along with film of the back-to-back disasters, all set to music.
It is at once heart-warming, shocking, and inspirational.
Very much a local production, interviewers were trained and used their skills to collect 40 interviews with people from all over the Southern Downs, 12 of which form the core of the 45-minute DVD.
All 40 interviews will be posted on the internet and will also be available to the world through the State Library, said producer Pam Burley, Community Development Officer with the Southern Downs Regional Council.
The DVD is narrated by local artist Caitlyn Alley and features a song especially written by Warwick musicians Matt Vels and Brad Davis – We Came Together.
Among the viewers was Taylah Clarke, whose parents’ Pratten St house was flooded three times in two years.
“It’s really scary,” the 12-year-old said.
“The first time wasn’t too hard. The second time I was woken at 6am because the SES were evacuating us.”
Taylah does not even remember the third time floods chased the family from their home.
The production was funded by federal and state governments.
Michele Slater’s poem prompted by the floods was also read:
Probing fingers creep
Mud trails of desolation
Angry fearless flood.
Flotsam riding high
Caught in the arms of trees
Water spirits’ gift.
Clouds of flood and fear
Vengeful waters without pity
Heartache memories
– Michele Slater
