The mood was high and the smiles were plenty as official guests and the community welcomed the re-opening of Lismore Shopping Square at a special event this morning.

Uncle Gilbert Laurie began with a welcome to country – minus the traditional smoke being an indoor event – and a reminder that Lismore is also known as Gundarimba in local language.

“I know it as Gundarimba, it means swamp land – not an ideal place to build a town,” he said with a smile.

Free coffee flowed while management and local leaders made speeches full of praise and acknowledgment of the mammoth collaborative effort made to get to this day when the official ribbon could be cut.

Coffee Club crew serving free coffee and smiles

Gary McConaghy, CEO of McConaghy Properties, spoke of his family’s history in the area and his father Jim, with mention of their move to Brisbane after the 1954 flood.

“70 years on, the people of the Northern Rivers are still yearning for a safer and more secure life. Lismore deserves prosperity and a standard of living like the rest of Australia and this horrific event took that away from so many people. Our retail partners – Woolworths – a fantastic effort to be open today – Big W as we saw a few weeks ago, Coles next week and Kmart in a few weeks following. We knew that Lismore Square was a meeting place, a safe place, a positive place and one where we can re-engage life’s simple pleasures,” Mr McConaghy said.

“On day three, after the water had receded, we set ourselves an audacious goal – to be open by 30th June. We were laughed at but we put every resource we could into making that happen. I’m incredibly proud of our team and retail partners in their response to this challenge, to have opened Big W on 24th June and now the rest of the centre here on 6th July. We employed a workforce in excess of 200 people from as far south as Melbourne to as far north as Townsville to bring back the Square,” he explained.

Gary McConaghy centre with some of the retailers who reopened today, just 130 days after the flood disaster

Mr McConaghy told the Lismore App that he had no doubts about the decision to rebuild.

“It’s too important. If we left this building and abandoned it, that would be a symbol for the town. We knew how important it was to come back,” he said.

Other officials guests present for the occasion included Mayor Steve Kreig and daughter Gabby, Janelle Saffin, Kevin Hogan and Mal Lanyon – Deputy Commissioner of the Northern Rivers Regional Recovery.

“I’ve been here since March 8th and I’ll be here til I’m unappointed by the Premier. Obviously working very closely with David Witherdin and the Reconstruction Corporation and with MPs and councils,” Mal explained.

Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon taking a tour of the refurbished Woolies

Mr Lanyon, usually based in Sydney as Deputy Commissioner of Metropolitan Field Operations, was well impressed with the reinstated Woolworths as he took a tour and said his time here has been very busy.

“It’s a great honour to be able to come up here and help. That’s why police join the job. My Mum lives at Yamba so I know the area and I love it up here. It’s been amazing to see how strong the community is. This (reopening) is so significant, a big step forward,” he added.

There are currently 11 specialty retailers open at the Square and many more to follow in the coming weeks. The reconstruction has included some fresh design ideas that embrace the natural environment of the area and other design changes.

“We’ve spent millions on better solutions for a more resilient building. A brand new food court, very exciting toilets – as much as you can say that – a parent's room and we’ll also be welcoming some surprises in the coming months,” Mr McConaghy said.

Mayor Steve Krieg expressed his excitement at the achievement in the building returning to operational status in record time.

Mayor Steve Krieg with daughter Gabby

"3 million people come through this place every year. I'm excited about the future of the Square, I'm excited about the future of Lismore," Steve said.

Centre Manager, Shaun Haysom, told the Lismore App that even though the travellators are not operational until October, the building is still fully accessible to everyone regardless of their mobility needs.

“We’ve got four team members available for all our hours of trade, from 7am to 9pm – they’ve got customer service vests on – they are there specifically to help anyone who needs help up and down the travellators. They’ll be there seven days a week,” Shaun explained.

Raheena Quinn, owner of Wild Pollen, offering free flowers at today's opening event

The word was out that the doors were open and many locals had come to support the event and finally see inside after months of construction.

Mr Minit is one of the many stores that have happily re-opened after months of work and planning.

Mr Minit franchisee Jacinta with mum Dianne and children Pippa, Hugh and Laila

“We own the franchise. This is a big day for us too,” said Jacinta who was at the Square this morning to join in the festivities with her husband, children and mum.

Jacinta’s mum Dianne said it was also an emotional day.

“It’s good to see everybody’s back. It’s been a long time. And it’s given them something to look forward to when they knew that the time to reopen was nearly here. Fingers crossed it will be busy here today,” Dianne said.

Mr Minit mascot Fred with Regional Manager Kevin Tamlyn

As Janelle Saffin said, whilst praising the McConaghy Group and the effort of all involved,

“Today’s opening is giving meaning to build back better. And who would have thought we love shopping so much?”

Woolworths at Lismore Shopping Square is now open seven days a week from 7am to 9pm.

Check the website for trading hours of other retailers.