Mayor Steve Krieg was on Magellan Street this morning promoting the launch of the 'Back Lismore' campaign with three local people sharing their stories from the last twenty months.

This initiative is a call to action and a storytelling platform aimed at reigniting excitement and pride in our region as we move from a 'flood city' perception to 'open'.

The actual launch of the campaign will be at this year's Lismore Show (19 to 21 October) on October 20.

Mayor Krieg said it's all about reviving and changing the narrative of what Lismore has gone through.

"From going through the worst natural disaster, as we all know, in the country's history to where we are today and where we want to be in the future."

"The whole idea of the Back Lismore campaign is to introduce some local people who have been through the tragedies, and now the triumphs of the past nearly 20 months and get some individual stories about how Lismore is rebirthing itself and coming back into a new vibrant, exciting place to be. It's an exciting place to live, it's a great place to do business and we're really encouraging anyone and everyone to, if you haven't been to Lismore for a while, get on down and spend a bit of money in the local retail outlets and the local food outlets and support local. That's what it's all about."

Mayor Krieg introduced three local people who are the first faces of the Back Lismore campaign. They are Ned Kane, Kate Stroud and Jennifer Ridolfi.

(Ned Cain, Jennifer Ridolfi and Kate Stroud)

"There'll be individual stories rolling out over the next few weeks leading up to the official launch of the Back Lismore campaign. Really heartwarming and really good stories. There will be then to twelve of these that are going to roll out. Across our LGA, there are literally thousands of people who have picked themselves up and dusted themselves off, or washed the mud off, and have returned, not only as they were, but better and stronger than before."

Ned Cain runs a screen printing business on Three Chain Road, South Lismore and rehearsal and recording studios for musicians.

"My partner and I had just recently bought our first house in South Lismore and it was nearly exactly 12 months prior to the flood, so it was devastating."

"At the time, I had all my screen printing business under the house, so I lost that and my home. It was very difficult. Obviously, there was a period where I did contemplate not rebuilding and leaving."

"And there was a period after about 12 months, and I think that was comfort in a way that everyone went through the same thing and sort of a sense of belonging and everyone coming together. It was a real turning point, not long after I think Lismore Show, where the energy kind of shifted."

"You could feel it to a positivity and I think with this campaign, it's really running with that shift of positivity and just really pushing it so everyone can feel it and support local businesses and people and now Lismore definitely feels like such a home and so grounded and really proud to be here."

Kate Stroud runs Stroud Designs which is a signwriting, graphic art and mural business. Kate lives a couple of blocks from Ned and was in a similar situation.

"I had just had our home for maybe a year or two years and I also have my studio beneath the house. So, exactly the same story, lost everything in that flood."

"But then, something that is beautiful about floods is that it does open up new opportunities, and I've ended up in a collective studio with six other female artists, which has been an integral part of the well-being and personally for me getting back on my feet, is to have that community around me in lieu of not having a CBD."

"But, we do have that now. The CBD is thriving and so many new businesses, and I think it's just really important that everyone realises that Lismore is really good at reinventing itself. You know, we've done this a few times now, and it's a community that's worth fighting for and reinvesting in because it's really unique, in that people are here and they exist exactly who they are. And everyone embraces and loves that. That's a really unique thing for our region."

"I'd encourage, as Steve said, to get amongst the reemerging of this region, because there are some really special things happening and magic is starting to appear in our streets. So get amongst it."

Jennifer Ridolfi is not a Lismore local. Jennifer arrived after travelling around Australia for ten years, coming to our region to rescue koalas. Little did Jennifer know she would change those plans initially, to help the people of Lismore and the Northern Rivers through the flood.

"When I got here, I realised that people needed rescuing, more so at that time than the koalas or any of the wildlife, so I worked for Service NSW for three months. I helped people do the applications, which was really horrific, by the way, because that whole process was really hard. And after three months, I thought well, I'll go and do some koala work now because, you know, I've helped as many people as I can."

"I have to admit it was really hard, not being upset and crying with the people that I was speaking to. So in the hopes that I did help some people from Services NSW, I went up to volunteer at Friends of the Koala and now I run a program of 240 people at Friends of the Koala. So, I'm paid staff now and I work five days a week"

Other current community stories that will be released include Joel Jensen, the driving force behind Joel Jensen Constructions and Brad Hicks, the dynamic leader of Fitness Kidz; with future contributions welcome.

When Mayor Krieg was asked about the timing of the Back Lismore campaign and the challenge of attracting business into the CBD, he said he was sick of the media's negativity and wanted to focus on the positivity.

"I'm all about the positives and let's get on with things."

“This campaign will showcase the collective progress made and the unity that has been the backbone of our great place,” he said.

“Together, let's celebrate Lismore and showcase the unity, pride and vibrancy of our community.”

Over the next fortnight, a creative toolkit will be provided to all community members, including local organisations, businesses, educational institutions, artistic venues and community leaders.

This toolkit will empower everyone to share their stories, experiences, and showcase the ways we can all Back Lismore.

The campaign's flexibility ensures inclusivity, allowing every individual and entity in the region to participate and share how they support and champion the region.

The Back Lismore campaign will officially launch at the 2023 Elders Back Lismore Show on 20 October.

For more information on how you can support Back Lismore, visit www.backlismore.com.au. You can also find Back Lismore on Facebook, don’t forget to like and follow the page.