In May 2025, devastating flooding triggered evacuation warnings for more than 9,500 households and left over 700 homes uninhabitable across Taree, Kempsey, Port Macquarie, and surrounding communities. Taree was the hardest hit, with the Manning River reaching its highest recorded level, while the Macleay and Hastings Rivers also experienced major flooding.
Twelve months on, the impacts of the disaster are still felt. For many locals, this flood followed repeated weather events, after the region was also significantly impacted in 2021. The cumulative effect of back to back disasters has placed ongoing strain on households, communities, and local services, making recovery slower and more complex.
How your generosity is helping flood-impacted communities
As always, flood‑affected communities came together with resilience and generosity. Thanks to your support, families were able to return to cleaned and partially restored homes much earlier than after previous flood events. Bulk donations of practical items such as gumboots, sheets, and towels from corporate donors played an important role in accelerating recovery and helping people regain a sense of normalcy sooner.
Image credit: NSW SES
Here's what we've achieved so far
New carpets for Greg
Greg's unit, located on the banks of the Hastings River, had flooded in 2021 and then again in 2025, ruining floors, walls and most of his possessions. Many residents like Greg struggled through cold winter temperatures as their homes underwent repairs. Thanks to our generous donors, Greg received new carpet which helped him return home. Watch below to see his reaction.
Generous donors provided household appliances to help this family get back on their feet.
Helping a brave mum start over
A single mum of three children aged five months to seven years had the ground flood of their home completely flooded. They spent months cooking on a barbecue with only the top floor of their home useable.
GIVIT provided a fridge/freezer, dryer and stove/oven to help this courageous mum and her three kids get back on their feet and back to normalcy.
Supporting a lifetime on the land
A 73-year old farmer, whose family worked the land for generations, lost everything in the floods. In recent years, that land was hit again and again. Fires stripped it back. Then came flooding, not once, but twice more. Each disaster took something with it until there was very little left. With no insurance, no savings after earlier losses, and limited assistance available, rebuilding felt almost impossible.
Living in isolation, this farmer found it deeply difficult to ask for help. But thanks to your generosity, practical support arrived right when it was needed most.
"I just wanted to say that the kindness accorded is very much sincerely appreciated.
The groceries to supplement my stretched bland rations, the warmer clothes and shoes for the colder seasons already started, the hardware materials enabling some much needed repairs to a 1879-built dwelling. Small improvements to very spartan living that make a noticeable difference, and the tractor fuel enabling the clearing and disposal of more flood debris.
I can only humbly say - thank you one and all for helping!"
– Bruce, Burrell Creek farmer
The KBHAC team moving donated furniture into their office.
New office furniture for a community organisation
Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation (KBHAC) lost the entire contents of its office in the floods.
Project Net Zero worked with GIVIT to direct a recent de-fit from a corporate donor of 79 high quality office furniture items directly to KBHAC, including desks, chairs, cupboards and a fridge. The donation helped Kinchela recover quickly from the flood event, and also diverted 1,762 kilograms of waste from landfill.
Kinchela staff returned to work in a functional, comfortable office in record time, and helped them focus on providing their vital services rather than recovery logistics. Clarissa Donovan, Kempsey Manager, shared: "Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation would like to thank GIVIT and their partners for the recent donations after the recent flood where our Kinchela office lost everything. These donations will help get our office up and running and let our staff get back to a bit of normality with the office furniture donations. So very much appreciative and we thank you all.”
Replacing Mark's kitchen
Mark* is in his 80s and lives in a unit on the banks of the Hastings River in Port Macquarie. While Mark’s unit didn’t flood in 2025, it flooded in 2021, and Mark lived for four years with a kitchen that was falling apart, too proud to ask for help.
Mark reached out as part of this flood recovery, and GIVIT provided hardware vouchers to help get Mark’s new functioning kitchen installed, allowing him to keep living independently and pursue his love of cooking.
Mark with his repaired kitchen.
A removalist transporting whitegoods to flood-impacted residents.
From flood pods to fresh starts
Thanks to your support, GIVIT funded removalist services to transport surplus furniture and household items from the flood pod villages that closed after the 2022 floods. These items travelled from Lismore to Bowraville and Kempsey - straight to two incredible First Nations organisations supporting people recovering from this disaster.
This effort not only saved valuable items from landfill, but also gave families the essentials to rebuild their lives - bringing comfort back into homes that had lost so much.
Household items for Barbara
Barbara* was impacted by floods in both 2021 and 2025, and in between the two events lost her husband to cancer. Thanks to the support of GIVIT's generous donors, Barbara received whitegoods, a bed and furniture.
Bringing warmth back underfoot
“I never thought I’d see my home looking like this again. I’m so grateful - more than I can put into words.”
This pensioner’s home was damaged by floodwater when the torrential rain started falling. With no insurance and limited income, he spent winter living on bare cement floors. It was cold, unsafe and far from the home he once knew. He found an affordable option for new floating floorboards through a local business, but even at a reduced price it was still out of reach.
GIVIT donors stepped in to help and the transformation has been incredible! Manning Valley Neighbourhood Services, the organisation supporting this pensioner, shared: “This hardworking elderly man and his dog have been through so much since the floods. His road to recovery hasn’t been easy, but thanks to GIVIT’s donors, he now has safe, warm flooring again.”
Even his old dog couldn’t resist sneaking in to enjoy the new floors!
A pensioner's dog enjoying their new flooring.
New floors for a couple in Wingham.
Not alone on the road to recovery
A young couple in Wingham lost almost everything when floods tore through their home, leaving them without proper walls or insulation. Both were struggling with health issues, including a shoulder reconstruction and an upcoming hip replacement. They also share one car, while both trying to work and attend medical appointments after losing their cars in the floods .
Thanks to donors, funding for new flooring has made a real difference. Manning Valley Neighbourhood Services, the organisation supporting the couple, shared: “This family has been displaced from their home and has been living between a shed and a caravan while slowly rebuilding over the past 11 months. With very limited resources, they have shown incredible resilience and gratitude. Having their flooring funded has made a huge difference and meant more to them than words can express.”
Standing with New South Wales as recovery continues
In the wake of the floods, communities have faced enormous challenges with quiet resilience and determination. While the water has subsided, the impact is still being felt, especially in remote areas where recovery can take longer and support is harder to reach.
For many, the process of rebuilding is still underway. Homes were damaged, routines were disrupted, and everyday life was turned upside down. Getting back on steady ground takes time, care and continued support.
GIVIT is here for the long haul, working closely with local organisations to make sure people receive the right help, at the right time. Every donation is targeted to meet real, current needs, helping individuals and families rebuild in ways that matter.
To everyone who has already given, thank you. Your generosity is still making a difference, bringing practical support, comfort and a sense of hope as communities continue to move forward.
* Names changed for privacy
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