River Murray Recovery Stories

The 20-year fog

Karl grew up in apartheid South Africa in a wealthy but emotionally distant Austrian-South African family, experiencing what he now understands as complex trauma rooted in his mother's narcissism and his father's clinical detachment. For decades he dissociated, unaware he was queer until his late twenties when he met a partner and came out to indifference from his family. He moved to London at 27, then Australia, but remained numb and disconnected from himself until the last two years. Only recently, after leaving corporate work and experiencing a workplace sexual harassment case, has he begun to reclaim his creativity, healing practice, and authentic self. He now writes, mentors others in isolation, and teaches people that the answers we seek live in the quiet spaces we're taught to fear.

Karl Germann is a queer South African-born Australian now based in Port Macquarie. He spent two decades navigating dissociation and emotional distance from a privileged but cold family before recognizing his lived experience as trauma. He has since become a Reiki practitioner, author of the children's book The Land Where Unicorns Are Made, and community support worker dedicated to healing and connection.

In this Kintsugi Heroes conversation with John Dwyer, Karl shares the story behind the moments below.

🎙️ IN THIS CONVERSATION:

• Dissociation and small-t trauma can persist silently for decades without dramatic incidents, rooted in emotional distance and hypervigilance from childhood.

• Coming out as queer or reaching any milestone does not instantly resolve the foundational trauma that shaped you.

• Authenticity attracts more meaningful connection and professional success than conformity or self-censorship ever will.

🕒 CHAPTERS:

00:00 Welcome and introduction

01:27 Growing up in apartheid South Africa

08:00 Dissociation, trauma, and the Austrian father

14:30 A narcissistic mother and emotional distance

19:22 Coming out as queer at 27

27:50 Leaving South Africa for London and Australia

35:00 Corporate work, authenticity, and walking away

41:00 Climbing Kilimanjaro and metaphors for life

46:35 Writing, creativity, and The Land Where Unicorns Are Made

50:14 Reiki practice and community connection through Ankali

54:20 Building community, smiling, and winning people over

57:51 Advice for younger selves and closing reflections

🎧 If this story moved you, follow Kintsugi Heroes in your podcast app so you never miss an episode.

📌 RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Out of the Fog: outofthefog.website

carlfox.com: carlfox.com

Lightunitedreiki.com: lightunitedreiki.com

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Welcome.

We're glad you found your way here.

Kintsugi Heroes was created from a simple belief: every person has a story worth sharing, and sometimes the story we need to hear arrives exactly when we need it most.

Our name comes from the Japanese art of Kintsugi, where broken pottery is repaired with gold. Rather than hiding the cracks, they are honoured as part of the object's history. We believe people are much the same. The experiences that challenge us, break us, shape us, and help us grow are often the very things that connect us to one another.

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Mark grew up visiting the river and eventually moved with his family to the banks of the Murray for a relaxed country lifestyle.  He became part of a small, friendly community where people help each other, and boating is part of everyday life for locals and visitors alike.

Mark’s kids thrived in a tiny school, and the family enjoyed close ties, with local traditions centred around the water and time spent outdoors together.

When the 2022 flood came, Mark watched his home disappear beneath slowly rising water, leaving the area looking like an inland sea.With his house gone, Mark depended on relief centres and friends, moving between hotel rooms and a rental while waiting months for water to go down.

He describes how the neighbourhood worked together cleaning thick mud, stripping homes and sharing help, all while supporting each other through the stress and slow rebuilding.

Mark reflects on loss and change but still values river life, new friendships, and the strong community that pulled together during tough times.

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We hope that you enjoyed this episode of River Murray Recovery Stories, brought to you by Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/con...

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

As a child, Adele visited the Pyatt river settlement with family friends, creating lasting memories of carefree days spent exploring the land and water, deeply connecting to the Murray River.

In 2015, Adele and her family purchased the property, transforming it into their home. Embracing the rural lifestyle, she balanced work as a baker with life on the riverbank.

Adele and her partner Justin joined the vibrant local community, raising their children alongside other families. They built strong ties through mutual support and shared experiences along the Murray.

When the 2022 floods arrived, Adele drew on local knowledge and teamwork. Her family carefully prepared, adapting to the changing conditions as floodwaters steadily encroached, relying on resilience and practical solutions.

Today, Adele reflects on the challenges and beauty of river life—raising children, enjoying peaceful moments, and appreciating the support of her community as they move forward after the waters receded.

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We hope that you enjoyed this episode of River Murray Recovery Stories, brought to you by Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/con...

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

Stephanie grew up in Dublin, Ireland, where she explored her interest in consumer behaviour and marketing. She studied wine and its emotional connections, learning the importance of storytelling in people’s lives.

She moved to the Riverland in 2012 and fell in love with the region especially the River Murray. She is married to a local wine maker with two beautiful children and one on the way. 

Since 2013, Stephanie has worked with the Renmark Paringa Council. Her job focuses on communications, marketing and community engagement, helping to share stories and reliable information with residents and stakeholders.

When the 2022-23 floods arrived, Stephanie joined the emergency incident management team. She managed communication, supported by her team, working long days to ensure everyone stayed informed and reassured.

Her role during the River Murray Flood 2022/23, on the Emergency Incident Management Team, was to ensure all stakeholders were informed on Renmark Paringa Council's response to the impeding flood waters and ensure that that the community remained confident of the levee network during that time. 

Professionally and personally, she was engulfed by the Flood, so felt able to prepare communication resources for the community which made sense to her as a community member and therefore ensured that the Council was trusted source of information during that time. She shared facts clearly and made sure people understood both risks and progress, helping reduce fear and build trust during a difficult time. 

She is proud of how the community came together, and values the teamwork, resilience and belonging that her experience has brought her.

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We hope that you enjoyed this episode of River Murray Recovery Stories, brought to you by Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/con...

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

Graham arrived to live on the Murray in 2010 after a life as a multi-generation landowner and farmer elsewhere in the region. He describes rural self-reliance, and both the strengths and challenges of small-town community dynamics during crises.

His first-hand experiences with flood preparation, with the help of his family, what worked, what didn’t (like limited access to sandbags) led to his realisation that community organisation to help people prepare was lacking in the early stages.

Graham expressed his frustration with the lack of clear, timely information before and during the flood, and his call for better documentation and central communication in future emergencies.

He also tells personal stories of loss, uncertainty, and change, including the trauma within the community, as well as unexpected positives like the opportunity to modernise his cottage.

He discusses the mixed aftermath effect on farming and expectations versus reality like the disappointing effect of salt leaching, rather than soil enrichment, after the flood, and the evolving challenges for farmers in the region.

Graham is a passionate advocate for recording lessons learned, so future generations and community leaders can better prepare for and respond to future Murray River floods.

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We hope that you enjoyed this episode of River Murray Recovery Stories, brought to you by Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/con...

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

Anthony Winter and Brenton Jinks are highly experienced local tradies and community service co-ordinators who have worked for the South Australian Corrections Department for over 16 years. During the 2022-3 Murray River Floods they taught practical trade skills to prisoners, from the safe use of tools to teamwork. They helped participants gain confidence and experience that could support their future employment and rehabilitation.

They led crews in building and assembling flood defence barriers, such as Defence Cell levees working long days in tough conditions. Their local knowledge helped integrate the prisoner work gangs into broader emergency efforts, enabling a more unified response to the flood.

By fostering trust with locals and being approachable leaders, they helped change attitudes about prisoner involvement in public projects. Their personal connections reassured the community, opening doors for wider acceptance and meaningful collaboration.

They ensured jobs were completed to a high standard despite resource constraints and changing priorities throughout the flood response period.

With a focus on skill development, they offered prisoners hands-on training in trades like carpentry, landscaping, and machinery operation. These opportunities provided structure and a sense of achievement, supporting rehabilitation and personal growth.

After the floods, Anthony and Brenton and their team supported recovery efforts by removing debris, repairing local facilities, and supporting the most affected residents.  

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We hope that you enjoyed this episode of River Murray Recovery Stories, brought to you by Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/con...

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

David has made the River Murray his home since 1989, forming a deep bond with the land and its dynamic environment.

Over 30 years, David’s involvement in the Mid-Murray region deepened, fuelled by his passion for roads and infrastructure.

Seven years ago, David returned to the Mid-Murray area, bringing his expertise to the council as Director of Infrastructure.

During the 2022 floods, David led the co-ordination of flood defence strategies and infrastructure maintenance for the community. Ensuring effective communication, he rallied his team and worked with local and state agencies to address evolving flood challenges.

David’s efforts extended beyond just logistics, fostering strong relationships with local residents and associations during and after the floods.

Even post-floods, David continues to lead ongoing recovery efforts, pushing for funding, and planning for future resilience in Mid-Murray.

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We hope that you enjoyed this episode of River Murray Recovery Stories, brought to you by Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/con...

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

Dr Rob Gordon is a psychotherapist who specialises in trauma caused by natural and other disasters. He has been a consultant to the Victorian government and the Red Cross for disasters since 1989. 

In this podcast, Rob gives us a powerful and detailed explanation of the effects trauma resulting from disasters and describes strategies for healing. He is warm and compassionate, and his examples which all come from his experience over many years, illustrate the complexity of the human response to tragic events and explain why it can take many years to recover.

He explains the deep-seated reorganisation of people's lives as they face the loss of their homes and routines and, in some cases, their friends and family who cannot cope with the enormity of supporting them. And how the stress from the trauma creates tunnel vision as they have to deal with multiple challenges at once, including loss of identity.

As Rob points out the most crucial ingredient of healing from this type of trauma is to have personal contact with others, strong support and social networks.

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We hope that you enjoyed this episode of River Murray Recovery Stories, brought to you by Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/con...

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

Peter Hunter grew up by the sea, developing a lifelong love for water, which later shaped his deep connection to rivers and the natural environment.

He began his career in 1977, serving as a teacher and later a school principal, honing his skills in leadership and community engagement.

Peter transitioned into public service, joining the Renmark council and preparing for greater responsibilities within local government.

Elected as Renmark's mayor just before the 2022 floods hit, Peter faced this immediate challenge with determination and a collaborative spirit.

During the floods, Peter prioritised community communication, relied on local knowledge, and led with empathy, all while tackling misinformation and media challenges.

With an emphasis on teamwork, Peter worked closely with local councils, engineers, and even competitors, showcasing the power of unity in crisis management.

Thanks to the work of Peter and others, Renmark emerged with stronger community ties and improved flood preparedness, embodying resilience and hope for future challenges.

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We hope that you enjoyed this episode of River Murray Recovery Stories, brought to you by Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/con...

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

Shannon worked initially in business and HR, then transitioned into local government nearly ten years ago, developing a passion for infrastructure while supporting management teams.

As an intelligence officer for the Renmark Paringa Council, she coordinated resources, working diligently with her team to prepare for the River Murray flood's impacts on the community.

Shannon emphasised leveraging local expertise, involving community members in flood response efforts, highlighting their significant role in managing the crisis effectively.

Coordinating inspections and repairs, she focused on restoring damaged roads and systems, ensuring crucial access routes remained operational during the flood.

Shannon's team monitored levees using GIS tools, maintaining a daily inspection regimen to promptly respond to any structural issues.

Ensuring transparency, she led communications, updating the community on recovery plans, and prioritising clear, ongoing dialogue through social media and public sessions.

Post-flood, Shannon applied learned lessons to strengthen future preparedness, fostering a culture of resilience and environmental appreciation within the community.

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We hope that you enjoyed this episode of River Murray Recovery Stories, brought to you by Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/con...

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team