When Lismore and much of the Northern Rivers was hit by one of the worst natural disasters in history, our community didn’t wait for someone else to come to our aid.

We helped ourselves. Stranger came to the rescue of stranger, neighbour helped neighbour and the people of the Northern Rivers stood as one to protect our community.

The North Coast National Lismore Show has been at the heart of our community for the last 137 years and this year it is inviting everyone to attend the Community Parade to recognise and thank those who stood up in our time of need.

North Coast National president John Gibson said the Show Committee wanted to achieve two things with this year’s show.

“We wanted a free gate so the whole community could come together, and we wanted to say thank you to the tinny army, our emergency services and everyone else in our community who did so much on 28 February and the days following,” he said.

“The North Coast National is a regional show and we would like to extend an invitation to take part in the Community Parade to all flood-affected towns of the Northern Rivers.”

The Community Parade will be held after the official opening of this year’s show on the evening of Friday 21, October.

Many of our emergency services who put themselves at risk will be marching and the Show is inviting any members of the Tiny Army, the Mud Army and sporting groups which helped in the recovery to simply join the parade.

Those in the Community Parade include Westpac Rescue Helicopter, NSW Police Rescue, SES, Rural Fire Service, VRA Volunteer Rescue and the 41st Battalion.

A brief rehearsal will take place at the Lismore Showgrounds on Monday 17 October at 5.30pm. Mr Gibson is encouraging a representative of each group to attend so that they can put on the best possible parade.

To register an interest in participating in the Community Parade, please email event coordinator Libby Lund-McDonald at office@northcoastnational.com.au