Hollisdale’s Hard Luck: Fire, Floods, and a Tiny Village
Summer Blaze – A Triumph
Back in the heat‑drenched days of last summer, Robert Costigan pulled off a miracle: he rescued two family homes from a raging bushfire. It was one of those “you’re in the boss’s shoes” moments that felt like a win.
Floods Happen: The River’s Revenge
Fast forward to this year, and the calms of the past are gone. Heavy rain turned the nearby rivers into wild beasts, hitting the highest water levels in 50 years. The result? Churches and buildings, the homes of Costigan and his dad‑in‑law Brian Watt, got slammed directly onto teeter‑totter foundations.
Key Damage Snapshot
- Homes ripped from their bases, landing against a telegraph pole.
- Concrete bridge sagging, towns submerged.
- Field’s machinery overturned – a chaotic collage of barns, tractors, and trees.
Costigan’s Truth‑Telling Moment
Standing on the 100‑acre property in Hollisdale, 400 km north of Sydney, Costigan spoke candidly to Reuters. “If it weren’t for a streak of bad luck, I’d probably have lost everything,” he said, fighting back tears.
Attitude in the Face of Chaos
When the waters finally receded, he took a breath and laughed, if a little sarcastic. “I’m not sure if the universe is giving me a hard test or what, but whatever it is, that’s the reality,” he confessed. “You just get through it.”
One Story, Two Lessons
- Even the best wildfire battle can’t shield you from all of nature’s moods.
- Hope, resilience, and a sprinkle of humor are the best tools to keep moving forward.
In the ever‑shifting tiers of country living, Hollisdale’s heart beats on. The people and the land’ve faced fire, flood, and everything in between – and come out looking for the next chapter.
<img alt="" data-caption="Costigan and his father-in-law Brian Watt stand in front of Watt's home that was swept off its foundations by floods, on March 28, 2021.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”b3f67e0e-d1d2-43e6-b8b6-b09f9c285243″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/20210329_costiganandhisfatherinlaw_reuters.jpg”/>
Costigan’s Double Trouble: Fires and Floods Gone Wild
Mr Costigan has lived a story that many Aussie rural folks know all too well: once under the scorching sun, now drenched by the rains. Here’s the full saga.
The Drought and the Dance of Flames
- 2018‑19 drought left fields brown and livestock shivering.
- When the Southern Hemisphere summer rolled around (2019‑20), the country was raked with its worst wildfires since record‑keeping began.
- While neighbors fled to towns for safety, Costigan stuck to his land, pumping water into a river that ran through his backyard to keep the flames at bay.
The Hammer: Echoing the Flames with a Flood
Fast‑forward to this year, and frostings of rain from a La Niña storm flipped the same river from hero to villain. The water level dropped, but the damage had already become a headline.
- The building, once a metallic honeycomb, has been bleached by insurance; each timber beam is now loose, and the tin roof looks like it’s been crushed by a toddler’s battering ram.
- Claire’s soft mattress and her kid’s fluffy toy turned into soggy souvenirs; they’re now the sad backstory to a living disaster.
Home Away from Home
Before the blaze, the family had secured themselves in town, with Mr Costigan stubbornly guarding the property. Now, they’re huddling in neighbours’ homes, living with broken hearts and the raw reality of being out of their own house.
It’s a sad reminder: the same river that saved a home from flames can, in a flip of weather, drench it to ruin.
<img alt="" data-caption="Costigan's bed is seen after it was swept away by floods in Hollisdale, Australia, on March 28, 2021.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”86f2204f-7d2b-4654-98bf-6462f48b1117″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/20210329_costigan%27sbed_reuters.jpg”/>
When a Flood Turns a Birthday Into a House‑Hunt
Eva Costigan was gearing up for her 11th birthday bash – tickets to the park, a pizza pizza (of course) and a stack of gifts waiting to be unwrapped. but life had other plans.
Stage One: The Great Party Cancellation
- Two days before the big deluge, the family had to call the cancel‑police: the parties were a no‑go.
- Eva’s face turned from “ready for cake” to “what happened?” in seconds.
- Parents tried all the usual pep‑talks, but the news that the house was starting to water down was the ultimate kicker.
Stage Two: The House‑Gone Day
On Saturday morning, the Costigans woke up to the shock of a life‑changing flood. The house they had loved for years? Gone. All those gifts given on Thursday? Vanished. The family had to face the fact that even the nicest surprises can’t win against a deluge.
Stage Three: A Farmer’s Resilience
Mr. Costigan, 39, isn’t just a farmer; he’s also a council worker. After the floods, he didn’t shrug off the disaster. “I’ve worked too hard to just walk away from it,” he said, with a grin that said, “I’m not going to let this water win.”
What to Expect
- Rebuilding the house step by step.
- Reclaiming some of the lost joy (maybe with a bigger cake next time).
- Racking up stories of resilience that will make new birthdays legend‑worthy.
So, while Melbourne’s floods had slammed doors closed, the Costigans are turning the page to fresh chapters. They’re proving that even when the rain comes down hard, there’s always a chance to rise again – with a little humor and a lot of heart.
