Dungog is a “tough region” and an “inspiring region”.
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With those words NSW Premier Mike Baird paid tribute to the Dungog community as it continues to rally in the wake of a super storm that wreaked havoc across the region in April.
“Today is a simple opportunity to say thank you,” Mr Baird said on Monday.
“We have heard the story of how this community has rallied together.
“Everyone came together in a way that’s almost unprecedented and you should be very proud.”
Mr Baird flew to Dungog by helicopter with Emergency Services Minister David Elliott and disaster recovery coordinator Brigadier Darren Naumann and was joined by Upper Hunter MP Michael Johnsen and Dungog Shire Council general manager Craig Deasey.
He announced $145,000 in funding to the Dungog Community Support Worker Project to provide practical and emotional support to families and individuals who experienced significant damage and distress.
“This is money for those who are doing it tough and will provide counselling and support services,” Mr Baird said.
“The community is putting its arms around you but we want to provide some additional assistance if it is needed.”
A sea of orange, in the form of SES workers in their iconic jumpsuits, greeted the official party as they landed at Bennett Park.
Mr Elliott told the group: “It was absolutely humbling to see so many of you put your own lives at risk, with no thought of reward, to do what you do best.”
He likened their efforts to those of Anzac legends whose deeds were celebrated at centenary commemorations days just days after the flooding.
“You are modern day Anzacs because you showed the same spirit we saw 100 years ago,” he said. He urged community members still experiencing hardship not to be too shy or scared to ask for support.
“What you experienced was traumatic to the power of infinity,” he said.
“The NSW Government and the Commonwealth will not be able to sit back and rest until you have your lives back together.”
Mr Johnsen said Dungog had become “the epicentre of NSW” with the spotlight firmly on the region.
Even though this status was reached through tragedy he said he intended to ensure Dungog remained the epicentre “for all the right reasons”.
