In December 2023, floodwaters swept through the Douglas Shire — touching lives, homes, and communities. Douglas Libraries have set out to capture a ‘Living Library’ that statistics and news reports never quite can: the human story behind the event.

The Living Library is a collection of video interviews with real people from our community — neighbours, first responders, businesses, and locals who lived through the floods and were willing to share their experience.

Their words are honest, personal, and sometimes difficult. They are also a reminder that we were not alone.

Listening to someone else’s story can help us connect more deeply as a community — building empathy, understanding, and resilience that lasts long after the floodwaters recede.

These stories belong to all of us. We invite you to sit, watch, and listen.

Because every voice that speaks helps another feel less alone

Our Stories

VIEWER WARNING: Please be advised the following clips contain personal accounts of experiences and descriptions of TC Jasper and flooding which may be upsetting

Sally – Business Owner Mossman

Peter- Business Owner Mossman

Ruth – St. Augustine’s Mossman

Lynelle- St. Augustine’s Mossman

Gayle- St. Augustine’s Mossman

Josh- St. Augustine’s Mossman

Kym and Liz- St. Augustine’s Mossman

Barbara and Allen- Lower Daintree

Nadia – Lower Daintree

Matty- Mossman

Erica – Mossman Support Services

Allan & Sharon – Degarra

Allan and Sharon – Degarra

Chris – State Emergency Service

Suzanne -State Emergency Service

Julian – State Emergency Service

Corin- State Emergency Service

Funding Acknowledgements

This initiative is funded by the Australian Government through the North Queensland Resilience Program and is facilitated by Douglas Shire Council.

Delivered by State Library of Queensland supported by the Department of Customer Services, Open Data and Small and Family Business.