Representatives of grassroots groups from across the region have confirmed their attendance at the ‘Recovery Reset Community Conversation’ today (Friday, 11 August 2023) at the Starcourt Theatre at 5pm.

Hosted by community advocacy group Reclaim our Recovery (ROR), this much-needed conversation has been met with relief and gratitude by people from across the region who have been crying out for a real say in how recovery and reconstruction are planned and delivered. 

The meeting will use a trauma-aware facilitated format similar to the SBS program ‘Insight’, with members of the audience given the opportunity to reflect on the impact of the process to date - what has and hasn’t worked, and in the second part of the evening a conversation will be opened to collectively explore what a positive and trustworthy reset might look like. 

Groups such as ‘Hearts and Hands’ and ‘Be Visible’ from Woodburn and the southern end of the catchment, along with community members hailing from all over the region – Wardell, Coraki, Bungawalbyn, Nimbin, Mullumbimby, Murwillumbah, Byron, Kyogle; and representatives and members of many of the Lismore-based grassroots groups such as Relocate Our Homes, NRRC Watch, East Lismore Flood Action Group and Lismore Drains Community Action Group are some of the many who have registered to attend and speak this Friday. 

Janelle Saffin MP, Sue Higginson MLC and staff from the various local councils and recovery organisations have committed to attending the event, originally called for by Reclaim Our Recovery when they met with the NSW Ministers for Planning and Emergency Services last month. 

Sally Amber (founding member of ROR) has said: “Many in our community have been crying out to have input in the design of recovery and reconstruction for the entire time since the floods and we say it has been this lack of participation that has led to the process failing."

"This Friday, we are providing an authentically community-led space where we can use this reset period as an opportunity to face the mistakes and then find ways to move forward together as an empowered collective.”

The meeting starts at 5pm today, at the Star Court Theatre, with a smoking ceremony in the Arcade by Uncle Gilbert Laurie before gathering in the theatre, where we will begin the conversation. 

“While we recognise that the Northern Rivers recovery is highly complex and challenging, we hope that this event is a positive experience for everyone who comes and that we all leave feeling uplifted and connected."

Whether you were directly flood impacted or not, if you care about our places and communities, you are needed and welcome to join what we hope will be the first of more forums that centre and empower the voices and concerns of our Northern Rivers communities.”

The event will be Auslan interpreted, and there will be entertainment from local band Bella Frankie with refreshments available at the bar. The conversation will be documented on film and may be used for future advocacy.