Gatherings to remember floods

Dozens of towns throughout the region suffered damage during last summer's biggest flood and the recovery effort is far from over.

People in three of the hardest hit centres are gathering this weekend to mark the passing of a year.

A flooded creek meant Carisbrook, near Maryborough, was evacuated last January and tomorrow afternoon a gathering featuring music and children's activities is being held, called Carry on Carisbrook.

Bridgewater is taking a break from its recovery efforts tomorrow, with a community coffee morning organised and at Rochester, about 100 people have been invited to help unveil a plaque near the Campaspe River on Sunday afternoon.

Flood funds

Meanwhile, several projects in central Victoria have been given money from a State Government flood recovery fund.

The region's biggest recipient was the Loddon Shire, which was handed $3 million to help re-establish the Bridgewater Caravan Park.

More than $2 million will also be spent on sporting facilities at Newbridge.

Projects in the Bendigo, Heathcote, Rochester, Kerang and Woodend districts have also attracted funds.

The money is from the Flood Recovery Community Infrastructure Fund.

Goldfields' heritage project

And an application for nearly $11 million of Commonwealth money will be submitted after two central Victorian projects were short-listed for funding.

The Wedderburn Community Centre redevelopment and the Victorian Goldfields Heritage Region project have been chosen to apply for the Federal Government's Regional Development Australia (RDA) fund.

The Loddon Mallee RDA committee's Jenny Dawson says she is hopeful the two projects will be successful.

She says the Goldfields' heritage project was selected because of the potential benefit to the entire region.

"The proposal there is to plan for Australia's first heritage goldfields region and that's really playing to the strength of our region and our neighbouring regions and it's a really good example of a project that is broader than one local government area," she said.

- ABC

© ABC 2012

SOURCE:http://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/gatherings-to-remember-floods/19999