When torrential rain and flash flooding swept across the Mid North Coast, it wasn’t long before local parishes became hubs of support for their communities. From Kempsey to Camden Haven, Port Macquarie to Nambucca Valley, parishes have rallied to meet the urgent needs of those affected. While each town experienced the flood differently, a common thread has emerged. Parishes are not only places of worship, but ones of refuge and hope in times of need.
At the Kempsey Parish, Fr James Foster and his parishioners quickly identified the most urgent needs in their community, providing pillows, blankets, linen and baby formula to support those at the evacuation centre.
“It has been an incredibly difficult and heart-breaking time for all of us, especially given St Joseph’s Primary School was affected,” Fr James says. “We have all been profoundly moved in some way by the devastating floods that have engulfed our region. What this time also reveals again is that we are a strong community who support each other.”
Photo: Fr James and staff cleaning up at St Joseph’s Primary School
Kempsey farmers were affected by rising waters, and to assist them the Parish has been coordinating hay for livestock through a local transport company. The Parish is also working closely with the Kempsey Neighbourhood Centre to support those facing food insecurity and isolation and has provided the local Vinnies use of St Patrick’s Church in Smithtown.
“It is incredible to witness the many acts of care, sensitivity, compassion and generosity from our community. We owe a great debt of gratitude to our emergency service personnel and all first responders. Thanks be to God for such great people,” Fr James adds.
Further south, in the Camden Haven Parish, Fr Michael Roohan has been collaborating with grassroots group Community at 3. Affected families have been receiving essential aid through blankets, food, and financial help.
“Mary MacKillop said, ‘Never see a need without doing something about it’ – and that’s exactly what has been happening with Community at 3, we have been responding to the needs of the community,” Fr Michael says.
In Nambucca Valley, Fr Peter Rebello and the Parish team have responded swiftly to individual needs, offering financial assistance to help families replace essential household items lost in the floods.
The Port Macquarie Parish has quickly coordinated resources to help those impacted by the floods, ensuring an effective, personal and compassionate response. A dedicated flood recovery team was immediately deployed to knock on the doors of people in the flooded Hastings River areas.
“This personal approach has enabled us to assess and respond quickly with supplies and vouchers to purchase essential items and provide pastoral support to those whose lives have been greatly impacted,” Parish CEO Tony Leahy says. “The team have also been able to pull together a thorough list of reconstruction needs and costs so we can support residents through the rebuild process.”
Photo: Tradesmen replace flooring at Riverside Village, Port Macquarie
The Youth and Community Hub, a ministry of the Port Macquarie Parish, has been supplying clothes, baby items, and personal necessities to those in need. Volunteers have delivered food, hygiene supplies, and other essentials to local recovery centres. Parish staff have also actively aligned their recovery efforts with local council strategies and relaunched the Parish’s crisis appeal to strengthen ongoing support.
While Sawtell and Coffs Harbour were spared the worst, both parishes remain on standby to assist their neighbours and have been exploring partnerships with local organisations to extend their reach. Recognising the emotional toll that disasters leave behind, discussions are underway with Uniting Care, who are leading recovery centres in Kempsey and Wauchope, to provide mental health support.
What shines through across every parish is the quiet but strong presence of hope – manifested in donations, cooked meals, hay deliveries, and simply being present to listen. As one parish leader said, “We’re not just helping our neighbours, we’re living our mission.”
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