While most mainstream media stopped reporting on Lismore a month or so after the initial flood crisis had subsided, social media pages in our community continue to ask Australians to support the recovery.

It was one such post, which motivated a couple who at the time had a larger journey than most to consider. A Couple with an extraordinary life, Peter and Janene Bartholomew, heard the call and decided to drive their large bus motorhome to Lismore from Western Australia so they can lend a helping hand.

Peter and Janene Bartholomew started their 'life on the road' journey in Alice Springs, choosing to live permanently in their bus motorhome, travelling from job to job, and adventure to adventure. Peter has worked a lot in grain harvests and Janene works with children and loves sewing. As a seamstress, she has much to offer. As Janene says "we usually stay where the work is, while we have it" and when the first flood hit, Peter was offered an extra month or so of work, so they stayed where they were and then made the trip, via South Australia where their daughter lives arriving in Lismore 2 weeks ago.

The Lismore Showground is generously offering free accommodation to anyone supporting the recovery efforts, and we met Janene and Peter with two well-known volunteers, Sarah and Storm McCormick, who are also travelling regularly from Queensland, staying for 1-2 weeks at a time, as they offer welfare checks, DIY support, donation deliveries and general care and support for many people still working through the process of rebuilding their lives.

Both couples came along to the RRT event, something they felt was incredibly important for the region's survival as they understood the ongoing effects of feed shortages the floods caused. They all remarked "I felt I just HAD to do something" when they saw what was happening on social media and read the personal stories of those directly affected.

Peter and Janene plan to stick around and offer what support they can to ensure the recovery continues. Peter is a handyman with a forklift license, and as Janene says "being ready to listen", taking on a variety of tasks each day such as moving furniture, delivering and putting up corflute walls and delivering donations. They are ready and willing to help, even if it's just to have a yarn with someone who can hold that space, who is 'fresh to the recovery space' and compassionate. They plan to check out The Healing Hub at 17 Keen Street to offer some support there.

Sarah and Storm are still going strong after over 3 months of support, but will soon need to step back to take a break for an operation, and say that they and many others should be taking a break at this point to avoid burnout, and hope that there are enough fresh volunteers coming, from all over the country to step in and continue the much-needed recovery and rebuilding efforts that will continue for many months to come.

At Resilient Lismore, people who need support to complete tasks, no matter how big or small, can register their needs, as volunteers can register to be tasked with a project or job.