It was the day after the most disastrous day in Maitland’s history.
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Hundreds were missing, feared dead, while countless more were stranded on rooftops and up trees above the murky brown floodwaters that had wreaked havoc on the city.
Fifty-eight years on from the most infamous natural disaster in Maitland’s history the memories live on and will be recounted at a special event commemorating the 1955 flood.
Talks, photos and video footage will bring the horror and devastation of the flood alive at Maitland Town Hall on February 26.
Organised by the Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority and State Emergency Service, it is an expansion of the popular series of Walk and Talk Flood Tours, which delve into Maitland flood history.
Historian Peter Bogan said 99 people had already booked for the event, which will begin with a presentation by the SES.
“It’s going to focus on the day after the most disastrous day in the history of Maitland,” he said. “Hundreds were missing; they didn’t know if they were dead or alive, and lifesavers were out, pulling people out of trees and off rooftops.
“The lifesavers rowed until their hands were red raw, then they bandaged their hands up and got back out there.”
While more than half a century has passed since the flood, which changed Maitland forever, Mr Bogan said interest in the event was as strong as ever.
“There’s something that binds the people together who were there on the floodplain,” he said. “You can only keep your memories by talking to others who share them – it’s a group that’s getting smaller and smaller each year as we get older.
“[The event at the town hall] is mainly for the oldies, but if the young ones want to come along that would be marvellous because they’re the ones who will have to carry on our stories. We hope it’s going to be a great day.”
The event, which is open to the public, will run from 10am until 2pm, with bookings required by contacting the CMA on 4930 1030.