During the summer of 2011, the state of Queensland was ravaged by some of the worst flooding Australia has ever seen. Following years of crippling drought, the skies opened, releasing unprecedented amounts of water across the state for weeks on end. On 10 January, the Lockyer Valley would experience the worst of the flooding, and the small town of Grantham would become the epicentre of the disaster.

With homes destroyed, livelihoods ruined, and a community grieving over lives lost, Mayor Steve Jones saw no future in rebuilding where the town once stood. He made a promise to the people of Grantham that they would move to higher ground by Christmas … less than twelve months after the flood.

To help him realise this incredible vision, he called on Jamie Simmonds to make sure it happened.

Rising from the Flood: Moving the Town of Grantham tells the story of how a community was able to relocate following one of Australia’s most terrifying natural disasters. Through acts of survival, heroism, leadership and love for community, the desperate people of Grantham found hope in Steve’s bold vision for a safe, new future and inspiration in Jamie’s achievement of an almost impossible task.