On Saturday, April 6 this year Hewitts Creek burst its banks after heavy rainfall, flooding houses at the lower end of Lachlan Street.
Gary and Bronwyn Hart lost their family home and everything in it.
“We almost also lost our lives too,” Bronwyn said. “Gary called at me to get up and get moving after I slipped when the water came rushing through. He grabbed my arm, or I would be gone. It was a horrific situation and just destroyed our lives.”
Gary pulled Bronwyn to safety and up the back steps. “It was the only refuge amongst the swirling torrent around and through the house.
“Bronwyn had tumbled in the melee into the water and the mud and everything else. She was eventually rushed to hospital with cuts and abrasions. But she really was lucky to be alive.
“We were left with nothing, except each other, when the water receded.”
Marion Cook, a long-time resident of northern Illawarra and Wollongong, has known the Harts for many decades through local rugby league teams and their children growing up together.
She contacted Gary and Bronwyn with an offer to help them.
“I knew I had to do something to help and I knew how to do it,” Marion said.
“Bronwyn was very supportive of me as a young mother and I always appreciated it so I knew I could help them. I approached them to get things moving and, together with my own family and friends Dick and Sandra Smith, we pulled together a Barefoot Bowls Day at Thirroul Bowling Club [Club Thirroul] that also brought the community together for Gary and Bronwyn.
“[Club Thirroul manager] Michelle Lipscombe was very helpful in assisting with Club premises and Henry Urbanski was a great co-ordinator of the bowls on the day.
“My own family offered their expertise. Shannon Jarvis helped in the planning, Bianca Jarvis created the flyer and local FB pages advertisements and Joel and Belle Jarvis printed 1000 flyers. Others like Margaret Ryan and Sandra Smith and I hand-delivered them letterbox by letterbox.”
Rugby league clubs were approached and 13 responded: Collegians donated $2500, South Sydney hand-delivered a lithograph of the 2014 Grand Final team, and other clubs, such as St George/Illawarra, donated signed jerseys.
Daniel Perkins offered a golf package and Luke Campbell offered a holiday in Indonesia. All the meat and bread for lunch on the day was donated.
“So many people contributed and reached out to help,” Marion said. “Kane Downie is another to thank for offering his services for a most entertaining auction. I am very grateful.”
Marion said the bowls day “was a beautiful day for Gary and Bronwyn and all of us”.
Gary said he felt humbled by the community response and the help they have received.
“We are now looking for a place to live, at our age, and move forward, but we have renewed friendships we thought were long lost and am grateful for the community support and love.”
If you’d like to help the Harts, contact Marion Cook via email: mazza1307@hotmail.com
Janice Creenaune is a volunteer for Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation Australia. Email janicecreenaune@gmail.com for more info.
