Wednesday saw the commencement of HSC exams across the region. Students earmarked from six schools across the region had something extra to look forward to today after their first exam. 

Thread Together, a not-for-profit clothing organisation, partnered with schools to deliver free formal wear to students who have experienced financial difficulty due to the Feb 2022 flooding and other hardships.

A hub was set up at the Lismore High campus at The Rivers Secondary College, and students were arrayed in designer gowns, suits, shoes and even accessories. There was a real buzz in the air, and seeing the students celebrated for their resilience and achievement after a difficult few years was wonderful.

Adam Worling, a Board Member of Thread Together, beamed as he watched students file in. He grew up in Lismore and has an emotional connection to the community. He spoke to the Lismore App about Thread Together and their role following the Feb 2022 flood. 

"We've been around 11 years. We always say the 2019 bushfires were our apprenticeship in natural disasters because it was something we hadn't done before. So it gave us the experience of how to help people. And especially when it comes to natural disasters, you're dealing with people who usually have never had to ask for anything. They've become vulnerable overnight."

"So when the flood hit, we knew this was going to be devastating. When we saw the news that it was 2.4 meters higher than ever, I immediately knew that most people were going to lose everything because they wouldn't have been able to prepare for it."

"Through the support of Councillor Andrew Gordon, who I went to school with, we found a location. We went in there with tables and racks, and we set it up like it was a clothing shop. Except we didn't have a cash register. We didn't ask questions. We just opened the doors and let people come in."

(People shopping for clothes at Thread Together at the Lismore Showgrounds in March 2022)

"In the first two days, we gave away about 14,000 to 16,000 units of clothing because people just didn't have anything. We stayed then for about five months and we gave about 450,000 units of clothing away to anybody who was affected."

Being an ex-Richmond River High School student himself, Adam knew that following the school's closure and everything families had been through, the school formal had the chance to be a big morale booster. He contacted the principal about the initiative, who was immediately on board, and last year Thread Together helped clothe 38 students. This year, they reached out again and extended their services. Between six schools, they are dressing 91 students this year.

"They're doing their exams at the moment. They don't have to be thinking, "Where are we going to get a dress? We need a pair of shoes. Where am I going to get a suit?" Adam said. "We just would like to help them so that this is one less thing they have to think of."

"Fashion, to me, is transformational. When you wear something that makes you feel good and comfortable, you carry yourself differently. You stand taller, your shoulders back, and I'd like to think that after 12 years of studying, they can go to the school formal and feel fantastic about themselves."

The students who came through were excited to be trying on their outfits together and came out of the fitting rooms transformed by their new threads.

"It's been really nice having the support from Thread Together after losing everything in the flood. I lost my house and it's been really nice to have the support from an organisation that's willing to give us free formal dresses. They can be so expensive. It's really lovely." Kristy, a student said.

"It's a great opportunity for everyone who has been through the floods to get what they need to be able to still feel like they're part of a community and still have access to these sorts of things. It was like a celebration for the exam today," said Malachi, another student, who looked incredible in a mix-matched grey ensemble suit.

The Executive Principal of The Rivers Secondary College, Christopher Randle was flitting around the room, helping check stock and tying the boy's ties for them. He said, "Thread Together supported Richmond River High campus this way in 2022. They made contact with me this year and were able to extend their reach and support to other schools impacted by the floods."

"We're extremely appreciative of the support Thread Together has given our students to be able to celebrate this milestone like every other person across the state. The floods in 2022 enhanced the challenges that our young people were already facing, having gone through disruption with COVID prior to that. 

"What Thread Together has been able do, as you can see today, is shine a little light at the end of the tunnel for these young people who have had to be so resilient to continue through their studies. The vibe that we're experiencing at the moment is young people trying on clothes, acknowledging that they're coming to the end of a particular journey, sharing that with their friends, and bonding with the staff. It's a really exciting moment where they feel really celebrating. This is a real moment of sunshine.”

Hopefully, it’s little ‘sunshine’ moments like today that students will hold on to as they look back at the last few challenging years they have had, and be encouraged to go forward into their futures with courage and hope.