A Different Flood

Stories of Strength and Recovery

Cover image of the book, A Different Flood.

Loddon Shire Council and Goldfields Libraries are proud to announce the release of A Different Flood, a moving new community book project that captures the voices, stories, and reflections of Loddon residents affected by the region’s 2022 floods.

The book is a result of a collaboration between Goldfields Libraries and Loddon Shire Council, and was delivered through the Loddon Flood Recovery Program, supported by funding from state and federal governments.

The project offers a lasting record of the community’s flood journey, sharing personal accounts that illuminate the ingenuity, resourcefulness, heart, and humour found in challenging times. Each story contributes to a shared portrait of resilience, connection, and hope across the Loddon region. Story contributions come from the towns of Newbridge, Bridgewater, Serpentine, Pyramid Hill, Boort and surrounds.

…I don’t think we expected to have another major flood so soon after the 2011 flood. But then, all of a sudden, it came.

Colleen Condliffe, Bridgewater

…I thought this is going to be a bugger of a day. I’m going to be loading sandbags on my own – then, when I got down there, all of a sudden, there were people everywhere wanting to know how they could help.

Brian Gladman, Serpentine

Stories were collected and compiled by Lucy Mayes, and the book was designed by Jacqui Lynch.

Copies of the book will be available for free from Goldfields Library Agencies in Loddon Shire, and from Loddon Shire Council following the launch on Friday 12 December 2025. A Different Flood has also been added the library collection and can be borrowed with a library membership.

We trust the book will be a fitting contribution to the library of local wisdom for residents to both enjoy and learn from for future generations.