Lismore Rugby Union Club President Peter Everingham is making a difference.

Locally born and raised, Everingham has sport running through his veins and has had a very positive impact in a short space of time.

Born in Lismore in 1975, Everingham was raised in the close-knit community of Nimbin.

The youngest of four, Peter enjoyed his upbringing with brothers Tony and Paul and sister Michelle.

With his parents separating at an early age, dad Richard was the bread winner.

"Nimbin was a quiet little town, dad was the local butcher and we knew most people in town."

"I attended Nimbin Central School from Kindergarten to Year 10 and then like most kids, I came into town for senior school" Everingham said.

"I played cricket and soccer for Nimbin as a junior, and we used to travel into town to play other local teams. We gave most sports a go including basketball, AFL and anything that we could play for the school."

Peter played with the other large families around the area, including the Somerville's, the Butchers, the Donadel's, the Stuart's and the Hellyar's.

"We were all large families and we all loved our sport."

"I moved into town in 1991 for Year 11 and 12 at Richmond River High School and during this time I played soccer for Lismore Workers Club."

"There were plenty of sports that interested me but we didn't have all of the options in Nimbin in those days."

"I remember my first taste of Rugby was when Nick Allen took me over to the rugby club to have a match for the school against Woodlawn, back when it was a boarding school."

"Woodlawn lived and breathed football at the time and I recall after a terrible loss, my introduction to rugby didn't leave me with a desire to go back all that quickly."

Everingham's career aspirations then took him away from sport for a period of time.

He completed an apprenticeship in Civil Engineering - Bridge Carpentry after finishing Year 12.

This employment path meant travelling and working away from home on a consistent basis, which became the norm for Everingham.

During this time, Peter met and married wife Kelly and had two sons, Trent and Jack.

The Everingham's are a close family unit. Photo: Peter Everingham

"Whenever the time allowed, I was playing soccer with a few of the original guys from Nimbin and then I joined the Goonellabah Hornets when Trent and Jack began to play soccer."

"I also started playing cricket for South Lismore again."

"I was sick of being away from home and living out of a suitcase, so I decided to start a teaching degree and become a TAS Teacher."

"I did all of my study on the road which filled up a lot of my spare time."

"I began my relationship with Lismore Rugby as most people do, as a parent on the sidelines and then I started to help out with a few teams after Jack started playing with a few mates."

"I started to help out Gavin Tulk with a junior side and soon we were planning the annual tour to Fiji that the club organises."

Peter had the joy of playing along side youngest son Jack for Lismore. Photo: Peter Everingham

"I then put my hand up as the Junior President in 2019 and I have been President of the senior club in 2020 and again this year."

"I had held a few minor roles at clubs previously, I was treasurer at Nimbin Soccer Club and Junior President at the Hornets for a few years as well."

"I guess I just like to help out where I can."

Peter has a passion for charity work and fundraising, in particular the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

"Our son Trent was flown by helicopter to the Mater Hospital in Brisbane at birth, so it is something close to our hearts."

"The club has resurrected the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Cup against the Wollongbar/Alstonville club, which is a fundraiser that both organisations support."

The Club currently is building other connections to the community, charities and schools. "We have links with Light the Night and the Leukemia Foundation, the Lords Taverner's have assisted us with links to the Lismore Rugby Club in Scotland, Trinity Catholic College, NORPA and the North Coast Vikings."

The Club also donated to Our Kids via the Samson Challenge. Photo: Matthew Barlow

"Two of the best things to happen to the club recently has been the introduction of the Women's Program and the reintroduction of U/18's."

"We have seen success with both groups and we now have girls teams playing in our junior competitions as well."

The club went through some tough times in 2020, but the U/18 Major Premiership was a highlight.

"One of my main goals, when I took on the President role, was to obtain some grants to help future proof LRUC by having a Master Plan DA approved. As we know this is now in council at present. I am really happy with this, as this has been a long term club goal."

The Lismore Women's team with Coach John Lisetto and Manager Peter Everingham. Photo: Peter Everingham

Everingham's contribution has not gone unnoticed, and he was nominated for a Lismore City Council Australia Day Award last year.

"I was fairly chuffed at being nominated for Community Volunteer of the Year at the 2020 Lismore Australia Day Awards. Volunteering is something I love to do and community spirit and connectivity is vital for many reasons particularly for sporting organisations."

"It is not a one-person show as a Club President. Support from my wife and family is key, and there is also no success without a pro-active and hard-working committee at the club. LRUC has an amazing committee with lots of great people doing many things that don't often get mentioned and get the accolades they deserve. I can't thank our LRUC committee enough for the work they do behind the scenes and the support and trust they give me."

"Our sponsors have all stuck with LRUC through some very bleak and tough times over recent years, they are greatly appreciated and always at the forefront of LRUC's bright future and we always encourage "buy local" and support your sponsors. Without sponsors, many sporting groups just simply would not exist."

"The last two years I have also spent a lot of time talking to past Presidents and the Life Members trying to get them back at the club watching rugby, they are obviously important in the clubs history, and our future by just being around."

Ron Cox and John Lisetto are two "Old Boys" that have made significant impacts on the club over a number of years. Photo: Matthew Barlow

"Last year I was able to invite some of them along to our Presentation Night, and it was awesome to see some of them there. This year we had an Old Boys Reunion Day, it was a cracker of a day and plenty of old faces in the crowd. I was very happy with the success of that day and to see City club spirit back and thriving."

It was a difficult end to the season for the club with the FNC Rugby Union Competition falling foul of COVID lockdowns, but the club is definitely in good hands.