Flood consultant Chas Keys will deliver three talks to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the 1955 flood at Maitland and District Historical Society from next week.
Topics include the psychology of flooding – floods in the minds of Maitlanders on Tuesday February 3; the impact of floods, flood mitigation and urban development on Tuesday, February 24 and the experience of evacuation on Tuesday, March 3.
Each event is free and will be held at 3 Cathedral Street, Maitland at 5.30pm.
Mr Keys is an Honorary Associate of Risk Frontiers at Macquarie University and a former deputy director-general of the NSW State Emergency Service.
He will talk about how Maitland people have interacted with floods and their emotional responses, gathered from personal interviews with flood survivors and from Maitland Mercury articles.
Other areas to be covered include the levee paradox, the evolution of flood warnings, preparation for floods, movement of people in future flood events, their accommodation and care.
Maitland and District Historical Society president Keith Cockburn encouraged members of the community to attend.
“My wife and I have experienced a number of floods while living in Maitland, but there are many people who are unaware of what can happen (in Maitland) and these talks will be most informative,” he said.
There is limited seating available for the events and seats can be booked by calling Mr Cockburn on 0438 623 299.
WALK AND TALK FLOOD TOURS
Join an early morning walking tour around the 1955 Maitland flood sites. There are two tours to choose from.
Tickets are $10 per person. Bookings are essential on 4931 3222.
Sunday, February 8 – 7am until 9.30am, Maitland Railway Station precinct.
Sunday, February 15 – 7am until 9.30am, Mount Pleasant Street and the Long Bridge, Maitland.
FLOOD SAFE WORKSHOPS
Are you prepared for flooding?
Learn about local flood risks and discover how to develop your own emergency plan.
Entry is free and bookings are required on 4931 3222.
Wednesday, February 18 – 5pm until 6.30pm, East Maitland Library.
Thursday, February 19 – 10am until 11.30am, East Maitland Library.
Saturday, February 21 – 10am until 11.30am, Maitland Town Hall.
MAITLAND FLOODWAY TOURS
Join a bus tour and learn how the Lower Hunter Valley Flood Mitigation Scheme operates in times of flooding to reduce the impact of floods in Maitland.
Book at Maitland Town hall on the day.
Saturday, February 21 and Sunday, February 22 – tours depart 10am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm.
HUNTER RIVER LIFE ART EXHIBITION
View works of art and natural history by local artist Julianne Tilse at Brough House, Church Street, Maitland.
Sunday, February 8 and 15 – 10am until 3pm. Entry is free.
Sunday, February 22 – open house at Grossmann House and Brough House from 10am until 3pm. Entry is $5 per person.
LOOK WHO’S TALKING LOCAL HISTORY
A special screening of the digitally restored classic 1978 Australia film Newsfront with 1955 flood footage and a panel discussion will be held at Reading Cinemas Maitland.
The free event will be presented by Maitland City Library and the National Film and Sound Archive on Wednesday, February 25 at 6pm until 9.15pm.
RSVP to programmes@maitland.nsw.gov.au or call 49336952.
