Residents of the northern Victorian town of Echuca are currently experiencing a flood crisis, with the Murray River reaching its highest level in more than 100 years.
Despite the issuing of evacuation orders, many residents have stayed behind to protect their homes and each other.
Amongst those supporting the community is Kathy Kostoglou who runs a local pharmacy and is keeping a vital supply of medications available for residents.
Kathy, who has lived in the area for 23 years, told ABC News that she considered herself lucky that her home had avoided serious flood damage, noting that some of her neighbours had not been as fortunate.
“They’ve all been fully affected, water is in their houses, they’ve evacuated to Melbourne because they’re so disturbed and they know it’s not over yet,” Kathy said.
“I don’t think we’re out of the worst of it yet and the anticipation is knocking us around.”
In her spare time, Kathy has been making dozens of meals for her neighbours who have been affected by the floods, whipping up trays of pastitsio.
“Food is scarce at the minute here and we’ve obviously not got a lot of things open,” she said.
“I’m already thinking ‘how are we going to help people in Rochester, how are we going to help people in Echuca?’
“We have the best community, I’m so honoured to live here. I am so privileged to be a part of Echuca-Moama. What I’m witnessing from our town pulling together is that a lot of hands make life easy.”
READ MORE: Thousands ordered to evacuate as more flooding expected for Victoria, NSW and Tasmania
SOURCE: ABC News
