When devastating floods hit Victoria in late 2022, the Seymour Football and Netball Club were among those hit the hardest.
After the floods peaked at a colossal 8.37m, all facilities at Kings Park were completely underwater. They would remain that way for months on end.
Once the floodwaters did recede, the club had to come to terms with losing almost all their equipment. Seeing the huge clean up that lay before them, they were facing a tough journey back to the court.
Ellie O’Sullivan, a coach at Seymour Netball Club, recounted the enormous impact the floods had on her club.
“Our facilities, the oval, everything at King’s Park was underwater. The water just sat, it never drained away.”
The water remained stagnant on the club’s facilities for so long that once the area was drained, volunteers returned to find fish on their netball courts.
Despite the daunting journey ahead, the club showed their spirit, banding together to become an integral part of Seymour’s wider flood relief and recovery efforts.
Based through their Facebook page, the club began to coordinate volunteers and highlight areas of the town that needed aid. Before long, enthusiastic volunteers were reaching out to the page with equipment, supplies, and many hands to make light work of the recovery effort.
“When the floods hit, we found Facebook was a great platform to reach people,” Ellie said.
“We had a core group of around 20 to 30 people who put their lives on hold to coordinate everything, and everybody else pitched in whenever and wherever they could.”
Member for Euroa in the Victorian Legislative Assembly, Annabelle Cleeland, praised the club’s hard work and dedication to the community.
“Our heartfelt gratitude to the Seymour Netball and Football Club for their selfless work spearheading the town’s immediate flood clean up.” She said.
“Our community is indebted to them for their tireless work coordinating hundreds of volunteers, who cared for locals while floodwaters were still receding.”
The news travelled across the state, and when Sandringham Netball Association’s Netball Manager Angela Moscati heard about Seymour’s phenomenal efforts, it brought a tear to her eye.
She and the association immediately began thinking of ways they could lend a hand.
“I was blown away, I almost cried reading about what they were doing. I’m always in awe of country communities.”
After getting in contact with Netball Victoria’s Participation Coordinator Sharlene Nation to discuss ways they could help, the association decided to hold a fundraiser. The response from the Sandringham community was overwhelming.
“People were putting $50 notes into the tin!” Angela recalled. “It was really lovely; people’s responses really had an impact.”
With a grand total of just over $1,000 raised, the association wanted to donate something physical to the club, particularly so their younger members could see what their fundraising efforts had achieved.
“We heard their goal post padding got washed away, so we managed to collect enough money to replace those.”
The gesture was greeted with incredible gratitude from the thankful club, who were stunned by the generosity.
“We know how hard it is to raise funds for your own club, let alone one you’ve never met before. We were gobsmacked.” Ellie said.
Now, five months later, Seymour Netball Club can finally return to the court. Complete with new goal post padding, the club hosted a practice match, and are looking forward to all of the action still to come.
“The fact that we were able to get the pads out and play the practice match was amazing. Everyone should be recognised for their efforts, we’re so grateful.” Ellie said.
Angela and the Sandringham community are excited to know that they contributed to another club getting back on its feet.
“I think volunteers make the world go around on so many levels, and to do a little bit for people who volunteer makes me really pleased.”
