The Lismore Rugby Club has been part of the fabric of Lismore since 1968, and in its existing location on Rugby Road, just down the road from St Carthage's Primary School, since 1970.

Club stalwart Bevan Gay said, at that time, supporters paid $20 for a brick, which allowed the club to purchase the available two hectares and build a clubhouse.

Fifty-five years later, the Lismore Rugby Club has over 500 members and players, including a growing female base of juniors and seniors. That growth means they need a second changing room. Presently, there is only one changing room that caters to everyone.

Federal Member for Page announced today an elected Coalition Government would commit $1,080,000 towards a $1.2 million upgrade.

“This is about making sure our female athletes have access to the same quality facilities as male teammates,” Mr Hogan said.

“The club has seen a big increase in female participation over recent years, but the current facilities are outdated and don’t meet the needs of players.”

“This funding will deliver brand new female changerooms and upgraded women’s toilets, as well as an accessible toilet and shower, an officials room and refurbished bar and canteen areas.”

“It will make sure girls and women feel encouraged, supported, and proud to be part of this great local club.”

(Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan with members of the Lismore Rugby Club earlier today)

Emily Cox, Lismore Club President, said, "It's really essential that we get those up and running so that we can continue to be the largest women's and girl's club in the zone."

Not only that, but the Lismore Women's Rugby team has enjoyed more success than its male counterparts, winning two out of the last three grand finals after making it to the season finale for the last three years. The men last won a Premiership in 2013.

Club Secretary Peter Everingham said there were also some flood-resilient measures the Lismore Rugby Club wanted to accomplish.

"After the change rooms, we'll put a committee of people together and try and work out how far we can go with the money and what's the most important thing to everyone.

"If we could get a trailer for our canteen and a trailer for our bar so that when these events happen, we can just hook on and tow away, but it also allows us, and like St Carthage's, who do Year 6 Formals here and often other events around the town, that we can actually then take our food trailers and our bars to other locations for fundraising and lend it out to like St Carthage's or Trinity or NORPA, who want to do things down here with filming.

"All those people who want to use our facilities. It just makes it more interactive, but more resilient as well."

The start of the Far North Coast Zone Rugby Union season is next weekend, Saturday, April 5, with Lismore having a bye. The first matches of the 2025 season will be against Casuarina Beach Rugby Club the following week.

Unfortunately, the club's season launch was to have been today; however, the wet weather has put a stop to the annual Mozzies (ex-first graders and players) versus this year's men's team. The launch has been moved to the Northern Rivers Hotel instead.

(The sodden Lismore Rugby field on Rugby Road, off Brunswick Street and its clubhouse)