Nearly six months after the tragic event which saw three Dungog people lose their lives in the floods, Mr Grant returned to see how the town was faring.

The Member for Dubbo, who has family ties to the area, said it was good to see the town slowly rebuilding.

“To fly into town that day and see the trail of carnage was unbelievable,” he said.

“While I can see that a lot more needs to be done, I can see some people are slowly being able to return to their homes and the town is rebuilding.

“I was very proud to present the [Pride of Australia’s] outstanding bravery award to Matt Finney last month for his actions in saving the lives of five people with a wheelie bin during Dungog’s flood.

“It was a very brave and heroic thing to do . . . and to think he used a wheelie bin to carry out the rescues is remarkable.

“Five people are still alive because of him.”

Mr Grant, along with Member for Upper Hunter Michael Johnsen and Dungog mayor Harold Johnston, walked along the main street and down to the northern part of town to where four houses washed away.

He was also taken to Alison Court and had meetings at Dungog Council before attending a combined Dungog Lions and Rotary dinner meeting and attended a farewell for Gresford police officer Leah Hughes.

Mr Grant’s family are from the Allynbrook area and his father lives in Paterson.