The clean-up: Pat and Tina’s BP owner, Joe Di Conza, outside his service station after the water had cleared.
Photo by
Daniel Webb
Pat and Tina’s BP in Shepparton North was back in action on Wednesday despite receiving flood water damage.
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The service station saw significant water form both out the front and back of the building, with a drain next to the property causing issues.
Owner Joe Di Conza said the store lost around $4000 worth of stock due to the power going out in a fridge.
“We’ve now started the clean-up, we’re trying to operate,” Mr Di Conza said.
“The community of Shepparton is just incredible, in tough times we just stick together so much, it’s just amazing.
“Hopefully now we’ll be able to soldier on and move forward.”
Under water: Pat and Tina's BP in Shepparton North surrounded by flood water.
Just a six-year-old when the 1974 floods hit, Mr Di Conza recalled what impact that event had on the store.
“It’s been a nervous experience over the last few days,” he said.
“When the authorities said it was going to be like 1974, that’s what happened in 1974, the drain rose beside us, the river came down and the impact was going to be phenomenal.
“We had 50-60cm of water at the front of the site, and then 30-40cm throughout the whole shop.”
Incredibly just days after being inundated with water, the service station is operating once again, with strong community support helping the store get back up and running.
“We had 10 to 15 people come through on Tuesday, customers, family, they all came along and we just attacked it,” he said.
“We still soldier on and with a smile and provide the driveway service that we do.”
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