15 weeks have passed since the catastrophic flood on February 28th occurred. It is also the beginning of Winter. Many volunteers at Distributions Centres were themselves flood-displaced or affected, and we are now seeing the closure of these centres, as businesses begin to re-open, but some say, this is far too early for a community still in the depths of recovery.

We spoke to Lismore City Council about the Lismore Showground Distribution Centre, General Manager John Walker told us that "In the immediate aftermath of the 28 February natural disaster, Lismore City Council worked with Lifeline to establish a distribution centre to support the donation of critical items such as food and clothing across our devastated community". 

"Once established, ongoing management of this site transferred to Lifeline with funding provided by Resilience NSW".  

"Funding to support this service reaches its end on 30 June 2022, and Lifeline has made the difficult decision to close this facility".  

"Lifeline, Council and Resilience NSW are working together to ensure that families are still able to access critical items that they need, via avenues including the Community Hub, GIVIT and increasing case management services across the Northern Rivers".

Dan, a Lifeline team member who is working at the Showground Distribution Centre said all donated goods and food items were there for the community. Dan was encouraging flood-affected people to come in and stock up, to fill a box or 3 and "not be shy, this is to ease the burden of losing so much".

The Wyrallah Road Hub at 51 Wyrallah Road has closed, and was completely volunteer-run and operated via donations.

The Lismore App was told, "I can't possibly stay open when I'm running on donations alone, yet the other hubs have organisations and fundraisers behind them, there is too much pressure, I won't be able to cope with what is going to happen, so I have to close first".

While we were at Wyrallah Road, there was an incident involving a disgruntled member of the community, clearly distressed at being unable to load up on supplies. The tables were clearly marked with "one per family" signage, in a bid to support all those who were in need. We did enquire about where donated goods would be going and were told they would be distributed to the outlying hubs, which may stay open, such as the Woodburn, Coraki and Bungawalbin Hubs.

Wyrallah Rd Hub is now closed!

Volunteers at the Christadelphian Hub in South Lismore at the Corner of Phylis and Crown Street said the hall would need to be fixed soon and that they would be finishing up, but that people were still in need of warm blankets, and clothes, which were being collected as fast as they were delivered. They wanted people to come in and stock up, to take a bag, and an extra bag to ensure they had enough going into winter and beyond.

Naomi Moran, Koori Mail's General Manager says their distribution centre is still in demand, and despite the incredible efforts of volunteers meeting the needs of the community for so long, they would remain open until the end of July to ensure people do not fall through the gaps. She also voiced that people from the indigenous community could come and get support with additional grants raised from the Koori Mail Fundraiser (GoFundMe) to ensure they have funds when they settle into their new rentals, or are ready to furnish their homes again. Over 200 families have already applied by attending Koori Mail's distribution centre and speaking to the team.

Resilient Lismore, Sophia's Kitchen and Trees Not Bombs are also staying open for now.

The message seems to be, if you have not yet been, go and stock up, and if you have, but you have not filled your needs, please head on down to one of the hubs, or all, and get what you and your family need and can use, to ease the burden and keep warm through winter.