We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunurong people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and waterways where this story takes place.
We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and to all First Nations people who have cared for this Country for tens of thousands of years.
The Maribyrnong River has f lowed through this land for countless generations. It has changed its shape, its path, and its rhythms — but it has always been here.
It is from the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunurong people’s connection to Country, land and water that inspired this story of a baby possum as it rides on its mother’s back during the event of the 2022 Maribyrnong River f loods — through a story of change, resilience and strength.
“Before the f loods, I liked playing footy on the other side of the river.” — Charlie
“Before the f loods, I went to the parks to feed the ducks, walked to school and rode my bike.” — Georgia
“Before the f loods, we liked going to the park as a family, but felt less connected with other local families.” — Ethan
“Before the f loods, when I was riding my bike, one of my training wheels fell into the river.” — Jordan
“I don’t remember before the f loods.” — Jasmine
“Before the f loods, we were all safe, but were we really connected?” — Michelle
“I am strong after the f lood.” — Charlie
“It’s okay to be sad, but remember you are strong.” — Georgia
“After the f loods, we went to our new place.” — Jasmine
“After the f loods, I went to the F loods and Me program. I drew there.” — Jordan
“You have to go through hard things before it gets easier. The nutrients are left behind for nature and the community to grow.” — Ethan
“The f loods may have taken away our home, but it has given us a sense of community.” — Michelle
One sunny day, a baby possum and its mother were awoken by the song of rushing water.
As the water level rose, the river widened and became darker and muddier.
The bushes and plants were pulled from their roots andgot swept away from their homes.
A sneaky snake got stuck in the river. To stay safe, it wrapped itself around a tree and held on tight.
antslatched onto one another makingaliving raft to stay afloat.
Lizards and skinks held onto plastic bottles and other rubbish f loating in the water. They were clinging to life and hope like all the other animals.
The baby possum saw ducks standing on surfboards! People had shared them to help the ducks stay safe in the current.
Families were stuck. The roads were f looded, and many were closed. The cars were slipping in the thick mud.
The baby possum saw many people wearing orange uniforms coming to the rescue in small boats. They travelled along the f looded roads to pick people up. A LOUD helicopter circled above them.
High in the tallest tree above the local school, the possums heard the bell ring. The children went home early.
The baby possum’s mum led them into a family’s backyard.
“Woah! I’ve never seen water here before,” she said.
Bicycles lay scattered, and toys f loated in the muddy water.
“I guess the kids forgot to clean up.”
Theywatched as thefamily walked through the water to their car, then drove away from their house and up the hill.
The possums wandered through the house. Mud covered the f loor, and the mum left pawprints behind.
The people who lived here put things up high on the kitchen benches to keep them dry, but some toys were still left on the f loor, covered in mud.
As the sun began to set, the water level started to go back home, just like everyone else. The possums climbed back into a tree.
The next day, in the backyard, the family discovered the damage. “What a mess!
Look at all this mud!” the boy shouted in shock.
Then they saw his sister burst into tears.
They heard the boy shout “Cool, mud! Let’s go sliding!”
Then, excitement took over.
“Look, mum! I found $5!”
His dad chuckled, “Look, I found a high heel shoe!”
The possum heard one of the neighbours down the street yell “that is my mum being interviewed on TV!”
The possums heard more people talking to each other.“Hello! Are you okay?”
They were using brooms to sweep the muddy water away from the homes. Neighbours, friends, and even strangers helped each other clean up for a long time.
“Mum, why do they choose to live by the river?” the baby possum asked. “Because it’s their home,” its mother responded. “Now we must go back to ours.”
Standing in their damp backyard, the boy was surrounded by family and friends, new and old. One of the neighbours was cooking a barbeque after a long day of cleaning up together. His parents were tired, he could tell, but they were still laughing with the neighbours. He grabbed his Rubik’s cube and ran off to play with the other kids.
