The stoic Taree Aquatic Club (TAC) is fighting back after being nearly swept away in raging flood waters that rolled through the region at the end of May.
Set on the banks of the mighty Manning River, which flows hundreds of kilometres from inland NSW to the Pacific at Manning Point, on the mid-north coast, the Club – known locally as ‘Sailo’s’ – has occupied the split-level building in Taree since 1958.
On 20 May Secretary Manager Peter Hemingway issued notice that the club would be closed for the day due to flood warnings.
In the following hours waters continued to rise and the river was reportedly flowing past the club at 60 kilometres per hour.
TAC had suffered through floods in 2021, but this time the level inside reached a metre higher, seeing “two feet of mud and water” sweep through, upsetting fixtures and causing extensive damage.
In the prior flood the kitchen and EGMs were able to be saved, but this time all the catering equipment and 37 poker machines were “completely written off”. If not for the building’s double-glazed windows it’s thought the flood waters might have taken away the entire structure.
Hemingway says it was distressing, akin to “walking into a destruction site!”.
On 23 May they were able to re-enter the property and the clean-up began, seeing directors, staff and many volunteers spring into action.
“Initially I wondered if we could even come back from this,” Hemingway reflected.
“We have incurred significant damage to our property, equipment and facilities due to flooding inside the venue.”
It’s estimated the repair bill will reach at least $600,000, and to reopen TAC says it needs both cash and catering equipment, including fridges, fryers, chargrills, hot plates, burners and a coffee machine, to get the kitchen open again.
The clean-up continued on Saturday, mustering further volunteers, such as the Forster Tuncurry Hawks Football team and their families, and TAC issued special thanks to NSW Member for Myall Lakes, Tanya Thompson MP, and her husband, who helped on the ground.
“Our thoughts are with members of our club, our board, staff and wider community at this time who have lost their homes, cars and other valuables,” furthered Hemingway, in recognition of the broader cost to the region.
NSW Premier Chris Minns attended the site, with Federal Member for Lyne, Alison Penfold, offering support. The TAC President stressed that the $130,000 concessional loan plan for businesses wouldn’t “cut the mustard” and cash grants are needed urgently. Minns reportedly said he wants to provide the stimulus and is looking into the matter.
ClubsNSW has reactivated its Clubs Helping Clubs initiative to support those who have been most acutely impacted by the floods.
The Association notes it costs around $48,000 to deploy 25 volunteers for one week, and is donating $15,000 of the $25,000 recently announced for Disaster Relief Australia (DRA).
Any club interested in providing direct support – financial or otherwise – should contact ClubASSIST on 1300 730 001 or at enquiries@clubsnsw.com.au, or funds can be deposited directly into the DRA bank account HERE.
