There is an Irish saying that Maitland flood historian Peter Bogan likes to recite.
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“The telling and re-telling and sharing of stories keeps the memories alive.”
So important are the sharing of the 1955 Maitland flood stories, Mr Bogan has made it his mission to make sure they are not forgotten, to ensure the same mistakes are not made and lives are not lost in future flood events.
Mr Bogan will lead guided walking tours, equipped with historical photographs, to mark the 60th anniversary of the catastrophic 1955 Maitland flood with the support of the NSW State Emergency Service Hunter region and Hunter Local Land Services.
The tours will focus on the two most significant flood ravaged parts of Maitland - the railway precinct and Mount Pleasant Street.
“If I could draw a two kilometre circle around Maitland Railway Station, it would reveal where 10 out of the 11 deaths happened in Maitland in the 1955 flood,” Mr Bogan said.
He will share the stories of the people who died including the men inside the railway signal box that washed away, the men hanging onto a rope underneath a Navy helicopter who fell to their deaths and the Army DUKW that struck high tension wires killing the three men inside.
The Mount Pleasant Street tour will include intriguing stories of survival and rescue, including the surf lifesaving crews who worked tirelessly throughout the night to save stranded residents clinging to roof tops and trees and watching helplessly as their homes were swept into the Long Bridge and destroyed.
Walkers will hear about the wall of water that rushed through Oakhampton floodway and onto Maitland Railway Station, leaving a trail of destruction in its path and saw 14 lives lost in Maitland and Singleton.
The tours will also view components of the Hunter Valley Flood Mitigation Scheme, including the flood gates on the railway line, the ring levee and control banks on Oakhampton floodway,
A complimentary flood safety kit including a DVD of Maitland floodways and 1955 flood footage will be provided at the end of the tours.
The early morning walks will be held on Sunday, February 8 taking in the Maitland Railway precinct and again on Sunday, February 15, taking in Mount Pleasant Street and the Long Bridge.
Each tour is from 7am until 9.30am, followed by morning tea. Tickets are $10 per person payable on the day.
Places are limited and bookings are essential on 4931 3222.
