Mark and Peta need our support after losing their home.

Hi, my name is A-arna, the daughter of Mark and Peta.

It’s with heavy hearts that we share what’s happened — our parents Mark and Peta lost their houseboat and their home in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Peta was staying at A-arna’s that night, and very early that morning Mark woke to a strange creaking sound on the boat. When he went downstairs, he found the back deck already sitting in a foot of water. He raced back upstairs to get the dogs off the boat. By the time he grabbed Chester and came back down, the boat had taken on so much water that he was swimming. It happened that fast.

Mark managed to get Chester onto the pontoon but couldn’t get himself out. He tried to get to our girls (their other dogs), who were stuck upstairs, but the water was rising too quickly. Thankfully, other liveaboards nearby jumped in to help. They got Mark out of the water and started calling to the dogs. Peanut swam out first, and Ali followed shortly after. One of the neighbours even jumped in and helped get them to safety.

We then got a call from Caloundra Police and all rushed there. Mark was taken to hospital with hypothermia, cuts and bruises, but thankfully he’s okay. Their bird had been in the water for nearly two hours — he somehow had a pocket of air in his cage. Tys helped rescue him, handed him to Ethen, and Ethen raced him to the vet. With oxygen and heat lamps, he’s pulled through too.

The most important thing is that everything with a heartbeat made it out safely. But everything else is gone.

Mark and Peta are currently staying with A-arna and the grandkids, who are keeping them distracted with cuddles and laughter. They’re insured, but salvage and claims are going to take months. It’s been overwhelming — they’ve lost not just their home but every belonging they had.

Right now, they’re facing a bunch of unexpected costs:

• Monthly medications for both of them (worth hundreds) had just been filled and now need replacing

• Their elderly dog also needs regular medication and a vet visit

• Prescription glasses and sunglasses were lost in the water

• Mark is unable to return to work for now while recovering physically and emotionally

• They’re now applying for rentals and trying to source the basics for setting up a home again.

They also need to replace all forms of ID Licenses, Birth certificates etc. As well as my mums Hearing Aids.

Before moving onto the houseboat my parents lived in a 4 Bedroom house filled with furniture, and everything you need. They downsized greatly and donated everything in their home to DV victims and charities. They always give and support, it’s time for them to be on the receiving end.

Our family has helped where we can with clothes and essentials, and we’ve had so many lovely people reach out asking how to help. We’ve created this GoFundMe as a way to gather support in one place for anyone who’s in the position to contribute. There are still so many other expenses such as my mum losing her hearing aids. However, they are just grateful for any type of support to help with immediate expenses and slowly help buy necessities for a home.

We’re just so grateful they’re okay — and for everyone who’s helped already. Thank you for reading, sharing, or donating.

With love,

Their family