Image: The image shows the township of Taree facing south. The black arrow is Martin Bridge which was closed through the worst of the flood. The green arrow is pointing to a white roof – UNE Taree occupies about one-third of that building. The first street running parallel to the river on the UNE side, is Victoria Street, formally the Pacific Highway. Normally the only water visible from an aerial view is the river itself which is bound by the township on one side and the first row of trees on the other side.
UNE’s Taree study centre has remained operational throughout the recent MidCoast floods, providing a base of support for local students.
While most of Taree and the surrounding region have been severely affected, the study centre is located on higher ground away from the Manning river and remained dry.
UNE Taree Centre Coordinator Kathryn Martin is in regular contact with UNE students in the region, providing information about support available through UNE’s Exams and Wellness team, and sharing details of local community services.
“I’ve contacted all our local students, shared info about support services and offered to link them in if needed,” Kathryn said. “Some students who were due to sit exams just couldn’t go ahead. Others have been able to defer or get alternative assessments. The backing they’ve had from UNE’s support teams has been really appreciated.”
While many students are still coming into the Taree site, others remain cut off or are tied up with cleaning up. For those who make it in, there’s tea, conversation and a few sweet and savoury treats to keep spirits up.
UNE has also opened the site to students from the flood-affected Taree Universities Centre, which is currently closed. Some of those students, who study at a range of institutions, have already started using the UNE space to study and sit exams.
“The impact of this flood is going to stretch well beyond the clean-up,” Kathryn said. “The hardest time for our community will be in a few weeks, when the volunteers have gone and winter sets in. That’s when support really matters.”
UNE staff who want to help are encouraged to check out the GIVIT NSW Flooding Appeal, where donations or specific offers can directly assist people in the region.
UNE students in the area can contact tareesc@une.edu.au or reach out directly to Kathryn Martin.