Community spirit celebrated

By Emily Donohoe

Dec 6, 2024

Members of the Rochester community came together for a barbecue to officially hand over a flag flown at Parliament House on the one-year anniversary of the October 2022 floods. Photos: Oliver Shedden. Photo by Oliver Shedden

A symbol of resilience, the Australian flag flown over Canberra’s Parliament House on the one-year anniversary of the October 2022 flood events has been lovingly displayed in a custom-made frame by members of the Rochester Men’s Shed.

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Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell hosted a community barbecue on Tuesday, December 3 to celebrate the occasion.

Rochester Men’s Shed members with Sam Birrell in front of the framed flag. Photo by Oliver Shedden

Rochester Community House welcomed Mr Birrell, former federal Member for Murray and Nicholls Damian Drum, state Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh and locals, including members of the Men’s Shed.

“Australia’s hearts were with you with what you went through, and parliament’s heart was with you,” Mr Birrell said.

“It was our idea that we took one that was flying above the House of Representatives 12 months to the day after the floods that Rochester endured and gift it to the community of Rochester.

“It was just a flag, but (it was) handed over to the Men’s Shed, and it’s become so much more than that.

“It’s a beautiful piece of carpentry and work that’s been done by the Men’s Shed.”

Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell reflects on the significance of the flag. Photo by Oliver Shedden

Mr Birrell reflected on the movement of Rochester from his electorate of Nicholls to Bendigo for the 2025 Federal Election.

He also acknowledged the work of organisations such as Rochester Community House to support the recovery.

“What an honour and a privilege it’s been to serve a community like this,” he said.

“It’s one of my favourite places in the electorate.

“The resilience it has shown ... has been inspiring, not just to me, but to many people across Australia.

“Thank you for our hosts, Community House, and thank you Amanda (Logie) for being here and for all that you’ve done for the community.”

Former Member for Nicholls Damian Drum receives a framed print of the Rochester silo art from Leigh Wilson and Elaine Lees, photographed by Sam Birrell (left). Photo by Oliver Shedden

Leigh Wilson presented a framed photograph of the Rochester GrainCorp Silos, taken by Mr Birrell, to Mr Drum, who helped support the lighting of the site.

“There are quite a lot of amazing community leaders in this community,” Mr Drum said.

“I congratulate you for what you do.

“The concept of bringing an MP back and thanking him for what he might have done in a couple of projects, is very, very nice.

“It reflects nicely on me, but it reflects so much more on the community itself.”