Honouring Local Legends: Our Community Heroes of the Flood Recovery
Image courtesy ABC News - North Shore residents
When disaster strikes, it’s the strength of a community that truly shines. Following the devastating floods that impacted so many across the Mid North Coast, we witnessed an incredible outpouring of kindness, courage, and resilience. People stepped up in the darkest moments — not for praise, but because helping each other is simply what they do.
At Flower Hotels, we wanted to give those everyday heroes the recognition they deserve. So, across our venues from Port Macquarie to Kempsey, we launched a Community Heroes initiative — calling for nominations of locals who went above and beyond during the flood disaster. The response was overwhelming.
We received hundreds of heartfelt nominations — from sandbaggers to soup-makers, first responders to friendly neighbours.
This wasn’t just about titles or job descriptions. It was about people showing up for each other. The single mums cleaning out neighbours’ homes. The volunteers running supplies through floodwaters. The business owners offering free services to help others get back on their feet. The young guns out there with shovels and smiles, just getting it done.
A few of the legends who were nominated include:
Amanda Romans – a local powerhouse known for her tireless help
Reuben Jones and the Macleay Valley Mustangs – rallying their community with real heart
Sally and Stuart Goodfellow and the team from Huntingdon Rural Fire Service – frontline bravery in action
IGA Central Kempsey’s Jodie and Rohan – delivering support (and groceries) where it mattered most
Cherie Caltabiano, Shane Geurts, Luke Love, Tamika Cordell, Eli Smith, Jess Welch, and so many more who gave their all
We were humbled to hear about teachers, tradies, vets, volunteers, small biz owners, emergency workers, and even the Port Macquarie Dolphin mascot making a splash for the right reasons.
Image courtesy NBN news - Town beach
This initiative wasn’t just a thank you — it was a moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate what makes the Mid North Coast unbeatable: its people.
To everyone who was nominated, and to those quietly helping in ways we’ll never hear about — we see you, we appreciate you, and we’re proud to do our bit to say Thank you.
Check out the full list below and to find out more about the initiative visit flowerhotels.com.au/giving-back »
Our Community Heros! Congratulations…
Amanda Romans | Flynn Curtis | Jak Dobbyns | Shane Geurts | Dean McLeod | Anika Leigh Malcolm | Anika Malcolm | Carolyn Duff | Damien Thurgood | Damo Batty | Daniel Holden | Ethan Le Pla | Ethan Thompson | Greg Steele | IGA Central Kempsey Jodie and Rohan | Jeremy Taylor | Kelly Flanagan | Laurie Argue | Leece Lecciones | Loretta and Andrew Simpson | Luke Jones | Macleay Valley Mustangs | Macleay Valley Mustangs (Pres. Reuben Jones) | Rueben Jones | Sasha Vaz | Skye Barton | Steve Bellgars | Steve – Macleay Valley Pressure Cleaning | Stewart Witchard | Susanne Ward | Tahni-Lee Griffiths | Trent Lee | Ben McCann | Daniel Holden | Dylan Carter | Huntingdon Rural Fire Service (Sally and Stuart Goodfellow, Steve Jackson, Tom Wilton and others) | Joel Moss – C2A | Liz Paine | Mark Waters | Tanya Welton | Jason Cabrera | Jess Welch | Mathew Carroll | Michael Negus | Michael Prott | Micheal Prott | Aaron Dart | Ben Macann | Billy Dietrich | Brad Rissel | Cherie Caltabiano | Corbin Jarvis | Daniel Holden (Doobies Cleaning Service) | David Henry | Dean Jordan | Dean Macleod | Eamon Kelliher | Erin Denham | Gavin Thompson | Glenn Bannerman | Grant Cunneen | Hannah Bannerman | Heather Walker (Crescent Head Veterinary Hospital) | Jamieson Williams | Jesse Williams | Johnathon Tisdell | Joshua Ball | Julie Norman | Kevin Weismantel | Kingsley Searle | Loretta and Andrew Simpson | Luke Love | Mandi Levanah | Maree White Cleaning | Matthew Carroll | Mick Fleming | Nadia Rosen | Nicole Hicks | Peter Ross | Port Macquarie Dolphin Mascot | Ray Angel | Rodney Gonzalez | Roxy Dietrich | Susanne Ward | Taylor Lawrence | Victoria Lawrence | Amanda Romans | Corbin Robert Jarvis | Dave Linsen | Dusty Cordell | Eli Smith | Ellen Crepaz | Jason Reichelt | Joe Pulelisi | Kai Elton | Kate Mitchell | Keith Such | Kym Watson | Lisa Ratcliffe | Louise Currey | Luke Love | Nadia Amara | Rebel Tucker | Shane Geurts | Tamika Cordell | Trudi Wilmot
