Kim Boyd is the new CEO at NORWACS. She has lived and worked in Lismore for over 25 years and is pleased to combine this experience with her passion for women's health.

Kim would like all women to feel that they can visit NORWACS (Northern Rivers Women and Childrens Services) and find a smile and a helping hand when needed. They have a massage chair as well when you need some extra help to relax!

With ten years of experience in senior management, Kim says, “From a community service perspective, I understand the need to support the community in different ways every time something happens in Lismore.”

Kim has witnessed our most difficult times as a community, the floods of 2017 and 2022.  

“Previous community service roles required me to collaborate with a lot of other local services. Also for gap identification in services, as well as fundraising to support services at the time.”

Blending this with Kim's knowledge of women's health attracted her to the position.

“I’ve developed and delivered wellness programs for women with chronic health issues, as well as working in the private health hospital system for pre and postnatal pregnancy support services and allied health for women in chronic pain.”

Kim sees the team as one of NORWACS's strengths: “I think we have a brilliant team across both the Women's Health Centre and our outreach program.  

“The skills and knowledge collectively across those teams are amazing, and they've certainly shown the skills they have to adapt and move and pivot and adapt to the community needs. 

“For instance, post-flood crisis, there was an acute response to trauma.

“I think the spike in domestic and family violence due to the trauma the community was going through has not settled yet because we've got the pressure of the cost of living, too. 

“Both teams have been able to move to meet the needs and to identify the gaps which weren't being filled by other funded services in this area because they've all been on overload.”

Kim will take some time to settle into the position and promotes agile leadership, looking to identify and resolve what is required in the community.

“We need to keep moving and growing and changing to meet the needs - regardless of how long I'm here or anybody else is here. To lead a team to manage change and growth in a positive way. 

“We keep that continuation and solidarity for the clients that are coming through our front door.”

Kim is keen to speak to all women “to see what we can offer them and what we can advocate for them.

“We would love to see people come through the door and just to pop in and say hi, or to use our free massage chair, which we have available to all women, to come in and sit and relax, or to find a quiet space to sit and reflect.

“If they want information, then we're more than happy to spend some time and talk to them about what they might be needing, and also to give them information about things that are coming up in the future as well.”

NORWACS has a program that is open to all women. Some programs are directed to people with certain experiences, but most are for “Any woman that's needing or feels that they can benefit from any of the programs. They are most welcome.”

This month sees:

• An Introduction to Yoga – this runs weekly on Tuesdays throughout the school terms – the next group starts on the 22nd of October at the Lismore Yoga Studio from 9:30am to 11:30am - $10 waged / $5 concession
• Green Flags - Equip yourself with tools to protect well-being and foster respectful, supportive interactions – A 4-hour workshop being held from 10am to 2pm on October 22 at 488 Ballina Road, Goonellabah – No Cost
• Shark Cage - An 8-week supportive group program for women who have experienced domestic/family violence or sexual abuse in their lives. The final group for 2024 starts on October 29 from 10am to 1pm – No Cost – bookings are essential.

These groups are open to all women 16 years and over.

Enquiries for all groups can be made by phoning NORWACS on (02) 6621 9800 or emailing admin@norwacs.org.au.

A link to their calendar can be found here.