Slim Dusty said it best when he sang 'there's-a nothing so lonesome, morbid or drear than to stand in the bar of a pub with no beer'.
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And thanks to one NSW SES unit that very scenario was avoided.
As you would expect the Hunter Valley floodplain has not escaped the brutal weather of NSW's past week. And Hinton, found near the confluence of the Hunter and Paterson rivers, copped it.
But fear not, it was Port Stephens SES to the rescue.
The unit delivered the kegs of beer to Hinton's Victoria Hotel on Thursday after it was isolated by flood water. And yes, other essential items were included in the delivery, too.
"During times of flood the Hinton pub has always been where the community has gathered and come together to build resilience," Port Stephens SES unit commander David Douglas said.
"We've been working towards maintaining normality to the community and ensuring that a meeting place can stay open and trade.
"We are also transporting other essential supplies, medications and essential service providers such as hospital staff and disability support workers.
"Other members also assisted with critical welfare checks, livestock and community information. When roads are out, boats take their place."
The Victoria Hotel gave the SES a "big thank you" for making the delivery on Thursday.
"Whilst the floodwaters are lapping at the door, the bar at The Victoria Hotel, Hinton will stay open, so please join us for drinks and a chat while we wait for the water to subside," the pub posted to its Facebook page on Friday.
"The bistro will not be operating, sorry. Thank you to the SES for getting through with our emergency supplies."
The SES unit was back out on the water at 7am on Friday delivering supplies and transporting Hinton residents cut off from surrounding areas because of flood water.
Rising flood waters from the Hunter River isolated Hinton in the early on Thursday morning when it peaked at the minor flood level of 2.50 metres.
In its latest flood watch, issued at 6am on Friday, the Bureau of Meteorology predicts that the Hunter River at Raymond Terrace will now remain below the minor flood level (2.50m).
The river peaked at 2.50m about 3.45am on Thursday, March 10.
Moderate flooding is still occurring at Maitland, where river levels are likely to peak Friday morning, and Singleton where a major flood peak of 13.16m was observed around 7pm Wednesday.
Ellie-Marie Watts
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
