A BOOK cataloguing the photographs of the flooding of Skipton in January is hoped to help the town’s folk bond together. Skipton and District Flood January 2011 was launched on Friday along with an oral history detailing the accounts of 38 people.Organised by residents Pat Gabb and Carmel Molloy, the book is a result of an exhibition held in March this year. Ms Gabb, who is a member of the Skipton Progress Association and Skipton Historical Association, says the book contained 300 photos from the 3000 sent to them. “In March we had a exhibition in the Skipton Hall of everybody’s photos of the flood,” Ms Gabb said.“We have launched a book of those photos. “We had 47 contributors and every contributor has at least one photo in the book.”Funded by the state and federal government for $11,000, the initiative, Ms Gabb said, was an important element in the town’s recovery but also a showcase of its community spirit. “It is an opportunity for the town people to band and bond together...to share each other’s memories of the horrific days but also the good days,” she says. “People came together. Every day there were people helping each other.”Resident Hazel Robson, whose 101-year-old house was flooded in the event, said she didn’t think it was possible to ever get over the floods.“Our house was the childhood home of Sir Henry Bolte, Victoria’s longest serving premier,” Ms Robson said.“(The flood) is a tragedy for Skipton.“It is something that needs to be recorded for other generations.”Follow @NeelimaChoahan