Gundagai 1852 Flood
The original township of Gundagai was located on the alluvial flats between the Murrumbidgee River and Morley's Creek.
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On the night of 24th June 1852, the worst natural disaster in Australia's history was about to happen.
Widespread rains began in June 1852 with the levels of the Murrumbidgee River rising every day leading up to that dreadful Thursday night and into Friday morning . The white settlers refused to heed the dire warnings from the local aborigines who told them to relocate to higher ground. The river rose, water depths of 14feet were recorded in the highest parts of town.
People took refuge on the roofs of houses and stables and even trees. Anywhere that may assist in sparing lives. The stranded were washed away. By Saturday the cries of the drowning had ceased.
The flooding Murrumbidgee River raged through the Gundagai township drowning 79 of the 250 inhabitants and destroying 71 buildings.
Without the heroism of local aborigines Yarri and Jacky, the death toll would have been more. Yarri and Jacky spent the fateful night in frail dugout canoes ferrying men women and children to safety from rooftops and trees, rescuing some 49 people.
