The Great Flood hits the road, community groups to benefit

The Great Flood will be back in the Swan Hill region next week – but no-one will get wet this time around.

The Great Flood – a play written and directed by Swan Hill school teacher Andrew Kelly – will be back for six shows in Swan Hill, Lake Boga, Ultima, Robinvale and Manangatang.

The Swan Hill Theatre Group first performed the play, inspired by the 2011 summer flood in the Swan Hill region, to sell-out crowds in November.

Now Mr Kelly said everyone at the theatre group was excited about taking the show on tour. 

A local cast of 11 and crew of six will perform the play, which follows the lives of two couples, emergency services, a radio announcer and Mayor Pedro Crikey as the flood approaches.

Mr Kelly said the tour was a great chance to take the show outside Swan Hill city.

“Everyone who has seen the play has loved it, but no-one outside of Swan Hill knows about it,” he said.

“I reckon that The Great Flood has all the ingredients of an iconic Australian play. 

“Even though it is inspired by Swan Hill's flood last summer, every character in the play is someone that people all over Australia can identify with.”

In each town, a community group will sell tickets and organise a supper, and those groups will use the profits from ticket sales on local projects.

Swan Hill Rural City Council Flood Recovery Officer Rachel King said 12 months on from the floods, the show would be a good chance to relax and have some light-hearted reflection.

“Communities across the region rallied in January last year to fight the rising floodwater – it was a real community effort – and I encourage everyone to come along and see this show,” she said.

Tickets for the show and supper are $10 for adults, $5 for children or concession, or $25 for a family with up to four children.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS:

• Lake Boga Community Centre -- Friday 3 February, 7.30pm until 9.30pm. For tickets
  call 5037 2173, or Keighran's General Store.
• Ultima Public Hall – Saturday 4 February, 7.30pm until 9.30pm. For tickets call 0417 557 850, or visit the Ultima Café.
• Robinvale Community Arts Centre – Saturday 11 February, 7.30pm until 9.30pm. For tickets call
  0427 362 815, or the Robinvale Resource Centre.
• Manangatang Public Hall – Sunday 12 February, 2pm until 4pm. For tickets call 5035 1444, or at the Five Star Café.
• Harrison Hall Swan Hill College – Saturday 18 February, 7.30pm until 9.30pm. For tickets
  call 0407 322 402, or visit Swan Hill Disposals.
• Harrison Hall Swan Hill College – Sunday 19 February, 2pm until 4pm. For tickets call
  0438 201 580, Beverford General Store or Beverford Tavern.

The shows are being run thanks to funding from the Department of Planning and Community Development and support from Swan Hill Rural City Council.

Anyone who still requires support as a result of flooding can contact Swan Hill Rural City Council Flood Recovery Officer Rachel King on 5036 2376, or Robinvale District Health Service Flood Support Worker Peta Diplock on 5051 8156.

A list of all support measures is also available at www.dhs.vic.gov.au/floods.