River Murray Recovery Stories

River Murray Recovery Stories
Podcast Description
The 2022 River Murray floods in South Australia were caused by record water inflows from the Murray-Darling Basin due to heavy upstream rainfall. The slowly rising floodwaters inundated homes, businesses, and farmland, causing widespread displacement, infrastructure damage, and agricultural losses. The disaster significantly impacted local economies, communities, and the region’s long-term recovery.
In this special limited series of Kintsugi Heroes, John Milham sits down with members of the Riverlands community and gives them space to share their experiences of their personal adversity and community resilience. It's only through connection and empathy that there can be a path to recovery.
These stories of trauma can be confronting. If you find they have a triggering effect, please reach out to someone who can help keep you safe.
Now listen in as John takes you to the River Murray Recovery Stories with Kintsugi Heroes.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The series explores themes of community resilience, personal adversity, and recovery efforts following the River Murray floods, highlighting specific stories such as Tony Siviour's management of the Renmark levees, Paul Smith's photography documenting the flood's impact, and John Milham’s reflections on community support.

The 2022 River Murray floods in South Australia were caused by record water inflows from the Murray-Darling Basin due to heavy upstream rainfall. The slowly rising floodwaters inundated homes, businesses, and farmland, causing widespread displacement, infrastructure damage, and agricultural losses. The disaster significantly impacted local economies, communities, and the region’s long-term recovery.
In this special limited series of Kintsugi Heroes, John Milham sits down with members of the Riverlands community and gives them space to share their experiences of their personal adversity and community resilience. It’s only through connection and empathy that there can be a path to recovery.
These stories of trauma can be confronting. If you find they have a triggering effect, please reach out to someone who can help keep you safe.
Now listen in as John takes you to the River Murray Recovery Stories with Kintsugi Heroes.
Born and bred in Renmark, Ivan spent over four decades running his own motor mechanic business before retiring.
Passionate about radio communications, Ivan pursued electronics and transitioned into the communications field to avoid heavy manual labour. His expertise landed him a role on the South Australian government radio network, working closely with emergency services like police, fire, and SES.
During the 2022 floods, Ivan’s elevated property allowed him to focus on helping others rather than worrying about his own safety.
Spotting potential communication issues due to flooding, Ivan devised a plan for uninterrupted emergency communication and presented it to the council. His proactive approach led to the implementation of solar-powered, standalone communication systems, uniting community efforts and ensuring effective management.
Beyond technical support, Ivan offered emotional assistance to friends and neighbours, providing both practical help and moral support during the crisis.
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We hope that you enjoyed this episode of River Murray Recovery Stories, brought to you by Kintsugi Heroes.
Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.
If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here – https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/con…
We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!
Warmly,
The Kintsugi Heroes team

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