The 2024 Doorknock Appeal was important to Resilient Lismore. It was seen to be a critical initiative to understand the state of housing, hear about recovery stories, and identify ongoing support needs.

It was reported that their outreach successfully reflected the area's needs, and they have discovered that more help is needed.   

Leone Baxter, a pensioner from South Lismore, independently told the Lismore App she finally received some specialised help from someone other than friends and family when she responded to her survey for Resilient Lismore.  

This article will weave these two stories - to be told in two parts. One reflecting Resilient Lismore’s efforts, and how they have helped Leone after two and a half years of just getting on with life after the 2022 floods. 

The second will be the telling of Leone’s flood story and just how she came to be where she is. To remember the important aspects of what we learned, to reflect on how we have grown and to pass on just what it was like for those who have come to Lismore, since the floods in 2022.

The Logistics and Volunteer Manager at Resilient Lismore, Robyn Kelly said they extended the Doorknock appeal slightly to give those getting back to them more time.  

“Over 11 days, we had 58 volunteers come and assist with door knocking. We originally had 336 houses mapped, but we got to doorknock on 927 doors, which was fantastic.

(Image credit: Resilient Lismore)

“From that, we got 296 surveys completed. Not all of them need support, but definitely, there's a large proportion of those people that require additional assistance and support.  

“That may mean anything from repairing their homes or being referred to a recovery support service. Or being connected up with another agency that will provide them with that sort of support they need to recover from the devastating floods.”

The volunteers knocked on one-third of the 3000 houses in the time allowed. They would have liked to approach more, but for this doorknock, they were restricted to the worst-hit in the CBD.

“In our hearts, we would have loved to knock on every single one of those doors to capture some sort of story and look at how their recovery journey is going.

“This year, we had more surveys completed than we have in previous years. And what we're seeing with those results, so far, is that there's definitely still a need out there in the community.

“Additional funding from the state government is required to meet those needs for all our recovery support services.”

There is a due date for those seeking help in their recovery, and the concern is those deadlines are getting close, some within a few months. Organisations like Social Future, the Nimbin Neighbourhood Centre and Momentum.

Robyn says, if you need help, now is the time to reach out, “If you aren't sure who you should contact, ask at Resilient Lismore, and we will direct you to who can help.”

Leone Baxter wasn’t at home at the time Resilient Lismore volunteers called in at her house, so she went to the office to hand in her survey. 

While there, the woman helping her told Leone that they've got an associate program where they “can loan tools and training and will help you do bathrooms and fences and things.”

Leone put her name down, and before long a man went to visit her to have a look at her situation.

“I wasn't hopeful because the bathroom is functional. I can have a shower, the toilet works. It just looks unsightly. 

“He looked at the bathroom, all the cracked tiles and the floor tiles that are all lifted off, and he said, “No, this is definitely eligible.”

The flooring was deemed a hazard, and as Leone is a pensioner, they would cover the entire bill.

Apart from financial payments and help from friends and family, this is the first time Leone has been offered help like this from any official department or organisation.

Leone’s story is much like others facing floods, unexpectedly landing herself in a critical situation, getting out of dire conditions and finding help against incredible odds.  

But Leone’s story is different in that since the flood abated, apart from an initial lump sum of money given to many in her situation, official or government assistance available to others has not been forthcoming to her.

Leone had insurance. But not for flood. The 2017 flood never affected her property, so the extra expense seemed unnecessary. The storm damage the day before the flood covered some tools on the ground that got wet, but nothing from the rising flood water was covered.

There was no defence force to help her clean up - that was done by Leone, her family and her friends.

Leone’s request for a house raise was denied. She was told, “She did not fit the criteria.” However, many of her neighbours have. 

Leone was never offered a buyback.

For the most part, Leone has made it to this point with the support of her immediate circle. About one-third of the finance she has received to recover her situation has been from family and friends, or because she reached out to charities that were willing to help her.

Leone is very grateful for that help. However, that sum has not come close to recovering her expenses.

Leone has been surprised by Resilient Lismore's offer of assistance. She has been “ absolutely amazed” by their response.  

She is a little hesitant to believe whether things will happen or not, “I never let myself get over-excited about it because, as my mother used to say, there's many a slip, twixt, cup and lip.”

Resilient Lismore is also able to help her with the deck at the back of the house, which was decimated by flood water and debris, including a vat of molasses wedged between broken timbers.

“They're also going to do the back deck, not build the whole thing, but it's dangerous the way it is. So he's going to make that safe, and also the bathroom corner of the house that was damaged.

(The deck used to cover the area of the pavers below, up to the plants to the right of the "Now" photo)

“This big cube of molasses came in the yard, and it got wedged under the veranda when the water was low enough to allow it in under. Then as the water's risen, it's just knocked all of the timber off and the cross members.

“They were all hanging off when we came back here. 

“The cube had settled near a tree, and when they came to get the cube out of the yard, they drilled holes in it to let all the molasses out. That's killed several trees. 

“So now I've got dead tree branches falling when you get heavy wind and stuff. I asked SES to help, and they said no, they wouldn't even consider it.”

Asking Leone if Resilient Lismore would be able to help, she said they had offered so much already, and she didn’t want to ask for more.

Leone’s flood story has all the twists and turns that so many have experienced, and it could have turned out very differently at so many points.  

Look out for part 2 of this article tomorrow - Leone’s story.

Reach out to Resilient Lismore via their website online, or call in at their office at 215 Keen Street Tuesday to Friday, 9am - 4pm.