A chance encounter with some friendly police — and a couple of willing NRL stars — have brought dreams to life for flood-affected children on the NSW North Coast.
The Aboriginal community on Cabbage Tree Island was devastated by flooding in 2022 and was forced to relocate to a temporary pod village at nearby Wardell, south of Ballina.
But it was all smiles and laughter on Thursday morning, when Rabbitohs players Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker joined a large contingent of police in Wardell to play touch footy with students from Cabbage Tree Island Public School.
NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Paul Pisanos said he met the children while passing through the area about six weeks earlier.
"Some of the kids were staring out and saying g'day from the fence, so we ended up coming around," he said.
The deputy commissioner said the students asked the same group of officers to return — and to bring Walker and Mitchell with them.
He said the event was part of a new model of community engagement and education the police were trialling.
"This was about returning, honouring the commitment we made, bringing Cody and Latrell up with us, but also some of our other specialist police resources," he said.
"Hopefully, successes that we may have here, we can replicate in other parts of NSW."
A bunny-fest
The school was decked out in red and green balloons and handmade posters, and NSW Police brought a display of vehicles, a rescue boat and several mounted troops.
Bunnies jerseys were popular attire for many community members who turned out to watch.
Year six student Jatika Davis-Marlowe said she had been looking forward to meeting her NRL heroes.
"It was actually exciting … we got to catch the ball and they touched it," she said.
"I was so excited to play and verse them."
Supporting mob
Walker, who grew up in Casino around an hour away, said after last year's devastation, he was happy to help.
"I couldn't imagine what they went through over the last 12 to 18 months, you know, a whole village wiped out," he said.
"I just felt helpless in Sydney, seeing mob go through this devastation.
"So it's easy for us to come up here and just put a smile on the kids' faces, and they put a smile on our faces."
Mitchell said he also wanted to show his support for the flood-affected community.
"Coming here and the realisation, it humbles you a bit, it brings you back to earth," he said.
"Getting the welcome was beautiful, they put a few dances on for us — really special.
"That's what I'm passionate about, and he [Walker] is passionate about, and that's why we're here as Aboriginal men, being in the community."
