How connecting to Country builds resilient communities
Replanting flood-damaged wetlands gave residents of Ingham a chance to come together, share stories and move forward as one.
How connecting to Country builds resilient communities
For Jacob, floods are a part of life. As a proud Nywaigi man, he grew up in the Far North Queensland town of Ingham – a community that’s no stranger to flooding due to its location on a flood plain. But the record-breaking flood that hit the region in early 2025 was especially devastating. The wetlands around Nywaigi-owned Mungalla Station, which protect the ecosystem from extreme weather and flow into the adjacent Great Barrier Reef Marine Park lagoon, were significantly damaged, as was critical infrastructure around the property.
“By the time we could get out there, with all the debris and everything – it was a big job,” says Jacob, who manages Mungalla Station, which is a working cattle station in addition to a tourism destination. “We’re almost a year on and we’re still fixing fences. It’s impacted us financially and we’re still recovering from that. I know a lot of people who are still trying to get back into their homes,” he adds.
Jacob’s cousin Vaughan is one of those people. “I've never seen a flood like that in my life, ever. And I really don't want to see a flood like that again,” says Vaughan. “It came fast, very fast... We had to evacuate my place. We lost a lot of personal items, like photos that we’re never, ever going to get back. And that upsets me a bit.”
As the floodwaters subsided, Vaughan had hoped repairs would be done and his family would be back in their home within six months.
“It’s been almost a year,” he says, shaking his head in disbelief. “It’s been a difficult year.”
Australian Red Cross Recovery Manager Erin Pelly (left) comforts community member Vaughan, whose home was badly damaged in flooding that hit Far North Queensland in early 2025. Photo: Paul Moses/Australian Red Cross
“I know people who have been affected with their mental health,” acknowledges Jacob. “It’s been a long journey for many people.”
The importance of caring for Country
When disasters strike, it’s the loss of homes, businesses and cherished belongings we hear most about. But disasters also have an extensive impact on the natural environment; erosion caused by flooding can sweep away fertile topsoil and fill waterways with harmful chemicals, damaging habitats while impacting the livelihoods and wellbeing of those whose lives revolve around the land.
For the Nywaigi people, who have cared for the Country that Mungalla Station sits on for over 60,000 years, damage to the landscape is felt on an especially deep level.
“Mungalla was severely impacted, from land to economic impacts, but there are also cultural impacts,” explains Australian Red Cross North Queensland Emergency Services Regional Coordinator Sam Savage.
Sam, who is a Traditional Owner of the Bindal Nation from Townsville, acknowledges that healing Country in the wake of disaster is an integral part of the recovery journey for many First Nations communities. Not only does it help people to process their grief and move forward, but activities that bring people together to repair damaged ecosystems – from tree planting to weed management – can help to make the land more resilient to future disasters while building stronger community connections.
Sam, who is a Traditional Owner of the Bindal Nation from Townsville, acknowledges that healing Country in the wake of disaster is an integral part of the recovery journey for many First Nations communities.
Australian Red Cross North Queensland Emergency Services Regional Coordinator Sam Savage at Mungalla Station ahead of the community tree planting day. Photo: Paul Moses/Australian Red Cross
Not only does it help people to process their grief and move forward, but activities that bring people together to repair damaged ecosystems – from tree planting to weed management – can help to make the land more resilient to future disasters while building stronger community connections.
“It’s important for people to come together and talk about their recovery journey,” says Sam, who has supported his community through multiple flood and cyclone events, including the floods of early 2025, when Australian Red Cross provided Psychological First Aid to almost 7000 affected people, while supporting four evacuation centres and 23 recovery hubs across the region. Since then, Sam and his team have maintained a steady presence in the community, checking in on affected locals while identifying ways to support resilience-building efforts, including projects that give people the opportunity to connect while caring for Country.
“Caring for Country is about that spiritual connection. When we heal Country, we heal people.”
An Australian Red Cross volunteer prepares to plant a seed pod at Mungalla Station in Far North Queensland. As they grow, the pods will help to heal the flood-affected land while making it more resilient to future challenges. Photo: Paul Moses/Australian Red Cross
Restoring the land together
For those who have been impacted by disaster, recovery can be a long and challenging journey. While floodwaters may recede within days, the physical and emotional toll can linger for months and years. Sometimes, it lasts a lifetime. Australian Red Cross is there to support communities in the immediate aftermath of an emergency, but just as importantly, we continue to walk with them throughout the entire recovery process, no matter how long it takes.
In December 2025, as fence repairs around Mungalla Station continued, Australian Red Cross supported Mungalla and the local Girringun Aboriginal Corporation on a tree planting day to restore a flood-damaged area of the station’s wetlands.
Jacob selected the tube stock to plant – several species that are native to the area. The seedlings were provided by environmental innovator AirSeed, which has engineered biodegradable seed pods that encourage healthy root systems and efficient growth, allowing damaged land to heal faster and become more resilient to future disasters.
“These plants are going into an area where they will help the wetlands, so we can improve the health of the waterways,” explains Jacob. “We’re also planting the trees strategically to be natural bird shelters, because bird life and conservation is really important to us here.”
A member of the Mungalla Station team carries seed pods to the planting area. Photo: Paul Moses/Australian Red Cross
“Innovation doesn't always have to be something new. It's about supporting, strengthening and scaling what already works,” says Australian Red Cross National Recovery Manager Erin Pelly, who played a key role in bringing Mungalla, AirSeed, Girringun and Australian Red Cross together for this special partnership. “By combining innovation with traditional knowledge systems, we're able to bring communities together and build resilience for future disasters.”
On the day of the planting, members of the local community came together with Australian Red Cross volunteers to plant out hundreds of seedlings, while connecting through stories of what they endured and how they are recovering.
“The tree planting provides community members and Traditional Owners an opportunity to care for Country, but also a chance for people to come here, talk about their stories and where we can go in the future,” says Sam.
Seeing people who were impacted by the floods come together around a shared purpose fills Jacob with hope for a more resilient future.
“The community bounces back pretty well, I reckon. It’s just so good to see that resilience develop in people who live in this district.”
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