Introduction

In times of chaos and catastrophe, it is often the strength of human connection that carries us through. In this moving and deeply personal episode of Cinversations that Connect, co-hosts Suki and Tayla recount the devastating floods that impacted the small town of Glenthorne and the extraordinary ways people came together in the aftermath. This story isn’t just about disaster recovery—it’s about the resilience of the human spirit and the unbreakable bonds that form through shared struggle. The Power of Connection in Crisis is not just a title; it’s a lived truth.

A Sudden Crisis Hits Home

Tayla’s story begins with a morning text message that no one wants to receive: her family’s neighbors are awaiting rescue by helicopter due to severe flooding. The waters had risen rapidly, swallowing homes and forcing residents onto second-story balconies, desperately hoping for evacuation. Her nan, immune-compromised and caring for her beloved puppy, was one of those waiting.

“Our house is gone,” Tayla’s father told her over the phone. Not just theirs, but her nan’s and auntie’s homes as well. The devastation was sudden, unexpected, and absolute.

The Chaos of the Unknown

In the hours and days that followed, Tayla and her partner Jordan scrambled for information, trying to get back to Glenthorne to help. Roads were closed. Communication was patchy. Her family, evacuated to a nearby town, had no idea what condition their homes were in until her brother was finally able to wade through water and mud to assess the damage.

The reality was worse than imagined. Sheds swept away. House interiors completely waterlogged. Furniture ruined. The town had flooded before, but never like this.

The Power of Connection in Crisis became even more evident as Tayla witnessed the collective strength of her community in the face of devastation.

Returning to the Wreckage

Tayla described the moment she arrived in Glenthorne: “It was like walking into a movie scene where things had just been bombed.” Debris was everywhere. Shin-deep mud made movement difficult. The smell of the farmland-turned-swamp clung to everything.

But alongside the wreckage came something else: compassion.

Community Spirit in Action

What followed was an outpouring of support that defied the destruction. Strangers brought food, drinks, and supplies. A local food truck handed out hot curries. A coffee van offered caffeine and snacks. One man drove up with a trailer of ice and drinks, handing out beers and lifting spirits with music blaring from his side-by-side.

People Tayla hadn’t spoken to since school showed up to help. Others arrived unannounced, armed with shovels, gumboots, and an unyielding desire to assist. It wasn’t about recognition. It was about being human.

“We were all in this together,” Tayla said. “The flood was so big and so unexpected, it basically stopped the whole town.”

This was The Power of Connection in Crisis in its most raw and beautiful form.

The Quiet Helpers

One of the most powerful moments came when Tayla learned that a man helping clean up others’ properties had lost his own home to the floods. This selfless act encapsulated the essence of human resilience: even in personal loss, many chose to help others.

As Suki reflected, “That’s a bond you can’t break.”

These bonds are the heartbeat of The Power of Connection in Crisis.

Emotional Support from Afar

Not everyone could be physically present, but emotional support was just as critical. Suki noted the challenge of supporting loved ones from a distance—staying up-to-date, being available, and simply listening.

“Sometimes being a sounding board is all someone needs,” she said.

It was a reminder that presence isn’t always physical. Sometimes, showing up emotionally makes all the difference.

Lessons on Resilience and Empathy

What the team experienced in Glenthorne is not unique to floods. It’s a pattern seen in every crisis: whether it be bushfires, pandemics, or personal tragedies, the strength of connection often determines the speed and depth of recovery.

Tayla likened it to recruitment: “Being resilient, helping people get their confidence back after a lot of no’s, or just being there as a soundboard.”

This human-first approach defines the Montagu Group’s ethos. Recruitment isn’t about metrics or KPIs. It’s about people. Whether you’re rebuilding a resume or a ruined home, the right support can change everything.

Reflection: Humanity Beyond the Resume

Suki and Tayla close the episode with a poignant truth: connection is the core of everything. It lifts us when we fall, steadies us when we falter, and reminds us that we are never truly alone.

The muddy gumboots, the burnt-out food trucks, the tears in the streets—they are all evidence of a community that refused to break.

As Tayla so eloquently put it, “There are still good people in the world. A lot of them.”

This podcast episode is a testament to The Power of Connection in Crisis.

Key Takeaways

• Disasters reveal the strength of human spirit: Crisis moments often uncover the best in people, from neighbors helping neighbors to strangers lending hands.
• Support can be physical or emotional: Showing up for someone doesn’t always require being there in person. Listening and checking in can mean everything.
• Resilience is communal: True resilience comes from shared experiences and mutual support.
• Connection over KPIs: In both recruitment and life, genuine connection trumps performance metrics.
• Human kindness is contagious: One act of kindness can spark a ripple of compassion through an entire community.

If you have a burning topic you’d like to discuss, don’t hesitate to reach out at hello@montagu.com.au.

Join the conversation Today!

click on the button to see a full list of posts from our Conversations that Connect deep dives!