Tony Sivour is the general manager of the Renmark Paringa Council in South Australia. Born in Barmera, he's a long-term Riverlander who returned after gaining valuable local government experience elsewhere.

Tony worked tirelessly to protect Renmark during the major 2022 floods. His efforts focused on managing the levees, coordinating with authorities, and keeping the community informed and safe.

As flood warnings loomed, Tony quickly initiated the emergency incident management team, ensuring the council was ready to face the approaching deluge. Renmark's levee banks span 38 kilometres, and Tony coordinated repairs and fortifications, involving 350 private landowners to get consent for necessary work.

There was the additional challenge of managing media communications. Local media support was invaluable, though sensationalism required quick, centralised messaging.

Through daily meetings, Tony’s team tackled urgent issues like stormwater management, preventing internal flooding, and utilising digital elevation models for priority decisions.

Tony addressed community concerns firsthand and discussed strategies with veteran residents, reinforcing trust and ensuring everyone understood the situation’s gravity. He liaised with other affected councils, offering insights from Renmark’s experiences.

Managing cleanup efforts, Tony ensured the council’s continuous support to help the community bounce back from the flood's aftermath, prioritising safety and infrastructure.

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We hope that you enjoyed this episode of River Murray Recovery Stories, brought to you by Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/con...

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

Paul Smith, known locally as Jubba, took up photography after a motorbike accident in 2008 left him on disability. After moving to Mannum, South Australia, he began photographing the river, discovering its serene beauty

During the 2022, floods Jubba documented the water slowly rising in Mannum and the surrounding areas.

As the floodwaters rose, locals and authorities built levees and Jubba captured the community's collective efforts.

Granted special access to levees, Jubba's photos provided a rare view of the unfolding flood and its severity. Despite the levees, many riverside businesses were flooded and he showed the resilience and struggles of affected owners.

Post-flood, Jubba work continues to highlight both the beauty of the river and the enduring spirit of the Mannum community.

You can find Jubba’s photos on Facebook and Instagram as Jubba Photography

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We hope that you enjoyed this episode of River Murray Recovery Stories, brought to you by Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/con...

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

Growing up in Wee Waa, John Milham, a Director of Kintsugi Heroes and host of the River Murray Recovery Stories, experienced the unpredictability of floods. These events taught him about nature's power and the importance of community support in the face of adversity.

John recalls the struggles his community faced during floods, from defending homes to coping with displaced wildlife. These challenges demanded creativity and resilience for survival and recovery.

During floods, the town came together, whether offering shelter at the local pub or using tractors for transport, the community proved its strength and unity.

John's experiences in Wee Waa helped him develop leadership skills. He watched local leaders guide their community through crisis, understanding the impact of decisive and compassionate decision-making.

Floods didn’t just bring physical challenges; they also affected the community’s spirit. The resilience forged during these times became an essential part of the town’s cultural fabric and identity.

Navigating floods in Wee Waa taught John the importance of respecting nature and adapting to its forces. These lessons influenced his lifelong commitment to community service and understanding environmental dynamics.

John's flood experiences became emblematic of shared community history. By preserving and sharing these stories, he emphasises the need for future preparedness and communal resilience, inspiring the next generation.

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We hope that you enjoyed this episode of River Murray Recovery Stories, brought to you by Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/con...

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team