Lismore South Public School has received the Resilient Australian National School Award for its implementation of the Mackillop Season's Stormbirds program.

The 2024 Resilient Australia Awards is a nationwide program that celebrates, shares and promotes initiatives that build and foster community resilience to disasters and emergencies.

Since 2000, the awards have showcased innovation and exemplary practice across Australia, celebrating achievements that might otherwise go unseen and inspiring others to build greater disaster resilience in their own communities.

Three-quarters of students at Lismore South Public School (PS) lost their homes and belongings in the February 2022 flood. Not only that, their school and the Ngulliboo Jarjums Preschool were severely damaged, so much so that the old school is being demolished and rebuilt.

Lismore South PS Assistant Principal Gaye Titcume oversaw the implementation of the program, with six staff members trained to deliver Stormbirds. More than 100 students went through the program, which is believed to be one of the largest implementations of this well-being and recovery program for young people.

Gaye Titcume, Lismore South Public School Assistant Principal, said, “It became very obvious that we needed to sit with the children after the flood and just be with them. Learning went on the back burner, and wellbeing was at the forefront.”

“Stormbirds was a program that we jumped on and thank goodness we did because what’s come out of that program has been beautiful.”

“It created that space where the children felt valued and safe and cared for and respected. All those things have led to more connections with teachers that they, perhaps, wouldn’t have otherwise had.”

“There’s no question our children have increased their resilience, and they are really the ones who should be receiving awards, each and every one of them.”

Stormbirds supports young people to understand and manage the changes and impacts they experience as a result of a natural disaster.

The awards are run by the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience and were announced at the 2024 National Resilience Australia Awards in Canberra. They build whole of community resilience to disasters and emergencies around Australia.

Larissa Polak, Lismore South Public School Principal, said, ""We are honoured to receive the award, which recognises the unwavering commitment and dedication of our school team in delivering the Stormbirds program.

“This recognition prompts us to pause and reflect on the progress we've made since the 2022 floods. The award highlights the collective efforts that have gone into creating a safe school environment for healing. The compassionate connections established at school ensure that our children receive the care and support needed as we move forward in the disaster recovery journey.”

“We are grateful for the partnership with Mackillop, Season to deliver this program at a whole school level, putting our school forward for both state and national recognition.

“Thank you to the Australian Institute of Disaster Resilience for recognising our school’s efforts.” 

Fiona McCallum, General Manager of MacKillop Seasons, says it is an honour to have partnered with Lismore South Public School and is delighted at the win.

“The beauty of a program like Stormbirds—as well as our other program, Seasons for Growth—is that they are designed to build lifelong resilience skills within the community. We take a community-driven approach and work with school communities and agencies to train local professionals, building local capacity to deliver the programs with a sustainable approach.

“With positive benefit to community connectedness, knowledge sharing and inclusive support, we know many other communities are keen to learn from the success of this model so they too can support their own unique context.”