Reportedly, volunteering is on the rise in Australia, but so often, that doesn't appear to be the case anecdotally - or perhaps certain types of volunteering gains traction over others.

At the opening of the Lismore Australian Red Cross Tea Rooms this week, the Lismore App spoke with Lynne, manager of the Tea Rooms, who talked about the Tea Rooms desperately needing volunteers to continue operations into the future.

Many volunteers who were operational before the Feb 22 flooding will not be returning due to age, and Lynne and other coordinators of the Tea Rooms are concerned with finding replacements. A minimum of three volunteers is needed each day to keep the Tea Rooms running which has run continuously for 64 years, broken only by flood recovery periods.

For that entire time, it has been staffed exclusively by volunteers, some individuals serving there for decades, and some whose parents did too. The Lismore App spoke with friends Claire and Glenva at the opening event who both had a volunteer history with Red Cross spanning over 50 years. A photo collage on the wall (which was luckily evacuated along with other memorabilia before the flood) shows Claire and Glenva amongst other volunteers over time.

Other volunteers who were at the Tea Rooms opening enthusiastically discussed their ongoing work as emergency responders, setting up centres for community connection and crisis support following the major flooding in Feb 2022 and the Rapville Fires.

Post-flood, the Red Cross was the largest group mobilised for the Resilient Lismore Winter Well Being Doorknock, where every flood-affected home was approached with support and a hand-knitted blanket. The volunteers discussed the long-term impact of these disasters on local communities and how the Australian Red Cross continues to offer emotional and practical support through centres such as the Tea Rooms.

Meryl Lovell is one of the new volunteers to the Tea Rooms. She has been volunteering for five years.

"I’ve always been a community worker, I've been with Meals On Wheels for 25 years, Meryl said, "When my sons finished school and their activities, I started volunteering."

"I love catching up with new friends, connecting with people at events out in the public like a cake stall. There is great satisfaction working in a community atmosphere."

Lynne said that many people can feel daunted by the process of applying to volunteer, but that she personally walks people through it at the centre and does the computer forms for them. She also reassured anyone thinking of volunteering that they will be soundly equipped with knowledge of their duties and supported at all times by a friendly team.

Reportedly, one-third of Australians have held volunteer positions. Not only is it an opportunity to give back to your community, but it is a wonderful way to strengthen ties to your community and develop social skills.

Lynne was quick to say that there is no minimum commitment required - if you can offer a day a week, wonderful, but one day a month is also very appreciated. Hours are flexible. Basically, anything someone can give will be valued.

If you would like to serve the Lismore community in this way, you can pop into the Tea Rooms at 132 Keen Street, Lismore or click on the Red Cross website's volunteer portal.

The Tea Rooms is open Monday to Friday, 10am -2pm, offering the community lovely 'old-fashioned' food at low prices (for only $7, you will get a tray of sandwiches, leaf tea or coffee and sponge cake), a friendly place to sit and connect, and also a place in which they can be linked to additional supports if needed.