The Avoca River at Charlton peaked at about 7.3 metres on Monday night and the Bureau of Meteorology was predicting the river would fall below 7 metres today.

Bendigo Red Cross had been providing food and bedding at the relief centre at Charlton College since Monday afternoon.

However, the relief centre closed yesterday afternoon and residents were able to return home or stay with friends.

As of this morning, a recovery centre will operate at the Buloke Shire offices in High street, Charlton.

Graham Etherton, Red Cross Emergency Services co-ordinator for the Loddon Mallee Region, said the relief centre was flat out yesterday, but the resilience of the town was clear.

Red Cross had 23 people register on Monday and eight residents stayed overnight.

“It’s clear that people are wanting to get on with things,” he said.

“At the moment people are just after information of when they will be able to return home.

“What we are seeing is the resilience of people, which is pretty good.

Mr Etherton said Red Cross was also providing food for emergency services personnel, who he said were doing a mighty job.

“Obliviously though, they do a really good job when they have food in their bellies,” he said.

“All the agencies are working like a well-oiled machine.

“We were prepared for it,” he said.

Mt Etherton said when he arrived in Charlton on Monday night the entire town was under water.

“It’s fair to say it has been a severe flood,” he said.

A public meeting was held last night at the relief centre with representatives of the council and the Department of Human Services on hand to answer queries on what help might be available.