Community voices take centre stage in Living Library

Douglas Shire Council is inviting residents to reflect on the lessons learned from the 2023 floods and take simple steps to prepare for future disasters, with the launch of a new Living Library.

The Living Library is a collection of video interviews featuring local residents, business owners, first responders and community members who experienced the floods firsthand and are sharing their stories with the community.

The videos capture honest and deeply personal accounts of fear, loss, uncertainty, recovery and hope. Together, they provide a powerful record of a community that faced extraordinary challenges and found strength in one another.

Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said the Living Library was about preserving local experiences and ensuring those lessons continue to strengthen community resilience.

“Disaster preparedness is often focused on emergency kits and household plans, but resilience is also built through connection, shared experiences and learning from one another,” Mayor Scomazzon said.

“These stories remind us that behind every flood impact was a person, a family, a business or a volunteer finding a way to keep going.

“The Living Library captures not only what our community went through, but also the determination, kindness and resilience that helped people recover.”

Among the stories are accounts from farmers who saw entire properties submerged, business owners navigating flood damage and isolation, and residents forced to make difficult decisions in rapidly changing conditions.

The Living Library was developed to ensure these experiences are not forgotten and to help future generations understand the importance of preparedness, connection, and community spirit.

Council is inviting residents to take time to watch the stories and reflect on the experiences of those who lived through the floods. Member for Cook David Kempton said the Living Library was an important reminder of why Queenslanders must be prepared for future disasters.