With two floors now open and functioning, Lismore's Harvey Norman store is double the shopping fun.Since the February flood, the store has been operating from the upstairs section only. But after months of work, this week, the lower floor has again opened to the public. Sue Hollingworth is the franchisee of the local Harvey Norman store. She said it was a mammoth task getting the place refitted after it being ‘bulldozed’ by the mega-flood.“It was awful - the water went through roof of the first floor, butut we moved stock upstairs and were able to open again quickly on the second floor,“ Sue said.“The flood was a double whammy for us, the water also flooded our warehouse by 2.5 metres. Our staff helped clean that out so we could start trading again three weeks after the flood.”If you visit the new store, there’s a few differences. Now the electrical and fridge section is at the back and the computers and appliances are at the front.“It was always on the cards for us to fit it out differently – but we never could have imagined it would be because of this,” Sue said.Sue said the store had retained all the previous staff, as well as recruiting a few new faces to the team to help with the reopening of the shop.“We want to thank the community for its support and shopping with us,” she said.“People have been so patient and ordering stock through this store and being happy to wait for weeks till the warehouse was sorted and we could get back on feet.“Even though we are a franchise location operating under the Harvey Norman brand, Leah and me are the franchisees who live and work locally – it’s not all about Gerry and we appreciate the community’s support.

At the back of the new Kidsnest shop, a sensory display room is forming. With dimmable lighting and stars projected on the ceiling, it’s a safe haven for kids and adults who suffer from anxiety.Soon it will be filled with a range of calming devices - from a sensory swing, to a blow up canoe that ‘hugs’ you and makes you feel safe.For shop owner and ‘sensory’ mother Rebecca Klemm, the room has been her dream since she opened her first small shop on Dawson Street - more than two years ago.She started the shop as a response to her own needs for her children - and now the wider community is benefitting from her products.“I’ve had people tell me these products have helped change their kids’ lives,” Rebecca said.The sensory room “When you walk in there, it’s for families who have kids, teenagers or adults on the spectrum, who need help to function and get on with their daily lives,” she said.“In the sensory room, they get a chance to test higher-value products before they buy them – so they know they are going to work.“I’m going to have a Cloudpod and a new product that’s a desk with an exercise bike built into it. It’s perfect for a classroom or office - those that need to move their feet to concentrate.“So, you can be working and riding at the same time.”Opening dateAlthough she doesn’t officially reopen Kidsnest until 9am Friday, customers have already been walking in and buying Rebecca Klemm’s expanded range of products.Like many other businesses, the February flood has opened opportunities for Rebecca to remake her business exactly the way she wants.“So, I’ve bought the shop behind this one and extended to finally make room for her sensory display room,” she said.Sense sections“I’ve also set up the shop in sections that relate to the senses – so people can see where they need to go when they walk in.” Sections include proprioceptive, vestibular, hand eye coordination, fine motor, tactile, auditory, sensory water play, opened ended play and olfactory – with a display of natural stress-relief oils.The floodThe February flood didn’t stop Rebecca, in fact business skyrocketed and online orders poured in. “We didn’t lose any stock because we packed up on the Friday night before, after a friend in the SES said it was going to be really bad,” she said.“I am super organized and had a truck on standby in case it ever flooded, and I took it all home into the shed. Then later, it took up the whole house as I kept adding products and expanded the range.“I love books and have expanded to include calming journals for adults and teens.Flood anxiety help is here“A lot of these products are really helping people through their trauma and anxiety after the flood.“A lot of kids like my daughter have struggled since the flood.“My daughter struggles with separation anxiety – she always wants me there, because she’s so anxious about the changes.“She lost her school and having security is important to her – especially for a child that is already anxious.Weighted animalsRebecca’s range of weighted animals- and body socks- have been popular.“Kids need it for regulation to keep them going,” she said.“My 11 year old like the weighted turtle and puts it on the belly.“It’s good to watch it move when breathing – it moves up n down and helps regulate them.“The smaller weighted animals smell like French Lavendar and can be heated in the microwave or put in the freezer.“It can help regulate the vagus nerve and the brain if placed on the back of the neck.”FidgitsThere’s also a shelf full of fidgits for adults and teens. There’s one that looks like a bike chain, another device work so the person can roll and press it into the skin, without breaking it. Kidsnest opens on Friday from 9am till 4pm and then trading hours will be Monday to Saturday as normal.

With a fine sweat on her brow and a smile on her face, Fitness Manouvres' owner Kate Cairnduff is moving her body – now that she’s back in business in her revamped Dawson Street studio.“My studio looks amazing,” Kate said. “I wanted it to be a healing place and took my time to get it right. Now, it looks like a flood hasn’t come into the building.”Kate said getting the place ready so soon after the mega-flood was thanks to a great landlord who had connections in the construction industry.Flood angels“He was compassionate and asked what I needed,” Kate said. “I felt like I had flood angels all around me.“He employed local tradies and he ordered what was needed for the rebuild.”Kate always knew her studio was in a flood zone, so in February, she already had a plan for what to do if a flood came.“Everything in here is removeable – event the black floor mats - and we got most of the stuff out,” she said.“I only lost one major piece of equipment and the prowler track.”ClientsSince she reopened Fitness Manouvres last week, her excited clients have keen to get back into training with her.“I’ve got nearly all my clients back – only a few had a pause on training as they were displaced, lost their businesses or moved away,” she said.“I now have have some spaces available for clients for want to get moving.”What to expectKate said she offers one on one personal training sessions - or two on one if you have a friend who wants to join you.“It could be boxing, stretching, using free weights,” she said. “The whole studio space is theirs to use in their session – It’s lots of fun.”“I also have my online training program available - Fitness by Kate.“It’s for those financially not ready to commit to personal training and gently eases them in for a $40 one off 6 week program they can do at home, with audio assist.”The journeyIn the aftermath of the February flood, Kate’s studio took on the role of a food hub for a short while.“The Food Bank Australia delivered a load of food hampers with things like milk, bread, plums and watermelon and we got that out to where it was needed it – to flood-affected people that may have fallen through the gaps,” she said.“Then my daughter Jess came up with packs of things for kids – like shoes, nappies and backpacks for local families.“It was lovely to help families who were ready to start take things as they got their homes put back together.“It’s been a journey - but I never thought I wouldn’t open up - not after 12 years of nurturing my business in Lismore.“I knew my clients would be back, we have created an amazing community together.”To find out more about Kate and her training option, visit  https://fitnessmanouvers.com/Read about her beginnings: Kate's new fitness business manouvers into Dawson Street

One of Lismore’s best kept secrets has again opened its doors to good times and good company.Still a popular meeting place, Unplugged Games on Dawson Street is again filled with smiling people who have come together to play games and make social connections.A home school group meets to play and hang out.Shop manager Liam Fraser-Quick said after a tough few years, having the games shop back open has been welcomed by the local community.“After the first flood in February, we lost stock but opened three weeks later,” Liam said.“Then the second flood happened and we were ankle deep water - and we had to get everything out again.”Now, the shop is operating at a limited capacity – and it’s all thanks to the fact that shop staff managed to save much of the stock – cards and games – from the mega-flood.”“We did lose lots of single cards - like for Magic the Gathering in the warehouse – even though we put stuff up high,” he said.The floodThe day before the flood, Liam said they moved everything up higher than the 2017 flood level height - which was waist high - and weighed down the tables so thru wouldn't float.. But by night time, they realised it would be higher - and they took out all the board games and cards.“It was enough to reopen with,” Liam said. “We also have good suppliers who let us pay later for stock.“In the flood, the cards in the hard cases survived. They took on moisture and warped but were ok.“We sold them online and the wider community saw them and wanted to help out and loved buying cheaper cards.“We had so much help in the floods too. Lots of community members helped us clear the and some people took paint and miniatures home to scrub them for us.“It’s humbling and makes you realise how much you mean to the community.”The future“In a few months, the main play space opens next door - where more people can fit in. We can hold bigger events like Warhammer and Dungeon andDragons games there.“At the moment La Nova Massage is working in there temporarily.Don’t grow up“I’ve been in this industry for over a decade and I have great admiration for those that play games and refuse to grow up,” Liam said.“Everyone gets told to put down the toys and pick up the tools - but they want to keep playing games – and they have tools too.“I like giving people a place to come together to smile and sit across the table and hang out in person, rather than just sitting alone behind a screen.“Later we will have a fridge and sandwiches creature comforts we don’t have now, when we have more power points”The shop now holds a weekly roster of different events, board and card games. You can visit the Facebook site for details.You can drop in, hang out, have a chat with like minded people - buy cards and and play games like Dungeons and Dragons, UDO, Flesh and Blood, Monopoly, Scrabble and Risk.The shop is open Monday to Saturday, from 9.30am to 8.30 weekdays or 5.30pm Saturdays.

Even the biggest flood in Lismore’s recorded history couldn’t stop Chris Knight and his wife Pa from bringing the delicious smell of Thai food back to the Lismore CBD.The couple reopened their Keen Street takeaway food shop Thai Satay Hut just in time for the Lismore Lantern Parade – and have been busy since then.On their Facebook page, there’s pictures of the shop under water – and one of the couple in a boat coming into the Lismore CBD."We were the second shop owners in town after the flood,” Chris said,.“We got a non-motorised dinghy to bring us in, so there is no disturbance to any buildings.“It’s vitally important we get back here soon after the flood water recedes so we can get the mud off the walls and floors before it dries, or it’s too hard to get off.”Inside the shop, there’s a 2022 flood height marker, high up near the roof.Chris said after the flood, they, found one of their dining tables on top of the shelf above the front door.“We have been through ten floods in Lismore, but never one like this,” he said.“The ceiling had fallen in too and now there is a waterproof ceiling.“We had a good landlord who paid for it – he came in to see it after the flood and was happy to pay for it.”With so many Lismore CBD shop owners still waiting on tradespeople to complete work on their buildings, how did the couple manage to open so quickly?“We annoyed our tradies to get them here to get the job done,” Chris laughed.“Everything had to be done and it was a big job to coordinate all of the workers - from electricians to builders and painters.“I was recovering from an operation after the flood and Pa was here coordinating everything.”Pa said she has gotten her energy back now after the stress of overseeing the repairs and is happy to be back cooking her Thai food for the Lismore community.“I love Lismore – It’s the best place. I only ever want to live here.“We will always reopen - even after the biggest flood we’ve ever had.”The shop is open 6 days a week – Monday to Saturday, from 11am.

 With cloudy skies and rain predicted for the next few days, organisers of the Lismore Car Boot Market have made the call not to hold the outdoor market this Sunday, July 3.Sad news, we know – both for stall holders and punters looking for food and a bargain.Read the latest weather news: We've seen the last of the sun as the rain returnsHeld on the first and third Sundays of the month, the market has proved popular since it made a reappearance last month, for the first time since the flood.Now held in a new location in Lismore CBD - in the carpark at back of the Lismore Quad - the market is subject to the vagaries of the weather.When the market began, it was held undercover in the carpark of Lismore Shopping Square for 32 years, before moving to a new location. Read more: New beginnings come to Lismore’s Car Boot MarketThe market then reappeared at Lismore Showgrounds when Covid restrictions made undercover markets difficult.The Lismore Car Boot Market joins the Channon Craft market in bringing life back to Lismore’s CBD. Read more: Car Boot and Channon Markets coming to Lismore's CBDThe Channon market will be held in the same carpark on the second Sunday of the month (so, July 10).If the weather is good, the next Car Boot Market will be held July 17.Read more about the Carboot Market: Car Boot Market brings 'normal' back to Lismore

The tragic death of local music legend John Lush (43) at the Lismore Lantern Parade has rocked the local community.John (known to his friends as Grunt), suffered a heart attack and was treated by paramedics in the Lismore CBD on Saturday evening, as the parade made its way through town.He was taken by ambulance to Lismore Base Hospital, but was pronounced dead.John’s best friend and fellow muso, Isaac Vincent said John leaves behind two children, John Junior and Bettina May.He also leaves behind his pregnant partner, Viv – who is due to give birth to John’s baby any day.A Gofundme page has been set up to help Viv pay for funeral costs and look after their child.Wake up callIsaac said John’s death has been a wake up call to many who knew him.“It’s good to be aware of the signs of heart attack,” Isaac said.“The day before, Viv said he ran out of breath when he was on a walk and said said his heart felt weird.“But he brushed it off and focused on his pregnant partner instead.”Music Legend – The Humans of LismoreBorn and bred in Lismore, John Lush also leaves behind a long musical legacy, including being lead singer in T.H.O.L. (formerly known as The Humans of Lismore).“In 2014 John and I stated jamming and making up songs about funny things we see in Lismore – like too many hairdressing salons, bakeries and mechanics," Isaac said.Isaac said T.H.O.L. started after Issac’s photo was featured on Denise Alison’s Humans of Lismore Facebook site.“John gave me shit about it at first and would say ‘we ARE the humans of Lismore’. Then we started a band with the same same – sorry Denise,” he said.“John had a punk rock ethos – then we got to know Denise and we changed the name to T.H.O.L. because we didn’t want to annoy her.“The Humans of Lismore was like a variety show band. We wanted a David Letterman show feel and would play venues like the Star Court Theatre.“John would interview people and we would play songs in-between.“I was the violin player and also did the slide shows in the performances.”First band Isaac said John’s first band in Lismore was P.I.S.S.“The band broke up, but would meet up every five years and do another show,” Isaac said.“They almost had record for the most times a band can break up and reform.“They were weird – people would walk into a venue and say ‘what is this band?’.“They only had one real instrument and Grunt would sing in outrageous costume. The drummer played a desk with ashtrays and pot plants attached to it.“But the music was tidy.”More recently, John was the lead singer in The Munted – and he loved doing it.Family and historyJohn was born, bred and schooled in Lismore.“People called John more Lismore than human.“His mum Marlene is the lady you see walking around town in a sequined beanie collecting cans.“Once he was playing a guitar that he said his mum found in a bin."Isaac said John was John Lush the 3rd.“He actually comes from a long line of John Lush’s,” he said.“His son is called John Lush the 4th.NicknameJohn got the nickname Grunt (or Gruntus) from his older sister.“His middle name is Grantley and she use to tease him and called him Gruntus,” Isaac said.“At first he hated it, but it caught on. When he started liking it, she started calling him John.“The name suits him - the first time I met him, I saw him when I was busking."He was walking in a leather trenchcoat on a 40 degree day in Lismore and looked like an angry punk dude.“But I found out he was a happy, nerdy, quirky person - not as mean as he looked. The name like grunt went with it.Wit and humour“’Grunt had wit and a sense of humour. He was dangerously smart and could take anybody down, but he was the nicest person – he gave so much more to community than he took.“He was into local theatre and comedy – and was the mainstay at gaming stores. He loved board games, Magic the gathering and Dungeons and Dragons.“He was a massive wrestling enthusiast and he’d go to any indie Aussie show – he loved the theatre of the ring."The Flood and TributeIsaac said John and Viv lost everything in the February flood and the couple came to live with Issac for a few months until they fortunately found another home.“It was good to spend time with him - I didn’t realise it was such a special time until now.”Isaac said a tribute to John is being planned in the coming weeks.“We want to put on a big show called Gruntfest and we’ll need people to help us make it happen,’ he said.John also leaves behind his siblings Naja Lush, Dale Mallet, Anneke and Guy, as well as his mum Marlene and two children John Lush 4th and Bettina May.GoFundMe“The Gofundme page will raise money to pay for John’s funeral and also help Viv with paying the rent and buying food and not having to worry about that for now,” Isaac said.“She’s being induced today and will have the baby soon. She is focused on the baby now – but grief comes in waves and she will be dealing with it.“Any donations no matter the size are welcomed. Rest in peace Gruntus, and thank you for all the good times."To contribute, visit https://gofund.me/17dfe284

Binnie O’Dwyer lost everything when her house was inundated in the February flood. But creating paper lantern boats for the Lismore Lantern Parade has been a big part of her healing process.“It was so soothing because my life is in disarray,” Binnie said. “I’ve been doing flood repairs and that's as hard as cleaning up was.“I just wanted to be here at the Lismore Lantern Parade workshop, papering and glueing.“I didn’t have to make decisions about the house. I could just come here and work.“I get to use a different part of my brain - and although this year's theme still deals with the flood, it’s a creative pursuit and doesn’t trigger my despair.“I’m surrounded by paper hearts – it’s a beautiful thing.”The theme of this year’s Lismore Lantern Parade is “Our healing hearts” and Binnie is one of many volunteers helping to make the healing happen.“The Parade has been one of Lismore’s highlights for decades and this year will be super special because it survived the flood, like most of us, with help from the brave and courageous individuals who risked their own lives to save others,” Binnie said.“I’m looking forward to Saturday evening and honouring those people and our lovely community - and the river."No ticketsFestival creative director Jyllie Jackson said this year’s event in the CBD won’t need tickets – but the festival still needs your donations of money.“This year, we’ve had less than a month to put it all together,” Jyllie said.“We’ve had lots of new volunteers coming in for an hour to help – but then saying they don’t want to leave.“This is something this place has always given to the community – an interesting and safe place where people find something special they didn’t know they had.”Jyllie said tomorrow’s parade will give people a chance to walk around the CBD and see which places have reopened.There’s also a few shops with lanterns in the windows – such as ‘The Boys’ on Woodlark Street.Read more about what has opened: Leo's reopens with Lismore's favourite fried foodThe parade and fiery finale viewing – what you need to know Festivities begin Saturday at 12pm with markets, activities and music. The parade begins at 6pm from the Quad. The route map for the parade has been released.Every year is a year of firsts for the parade and this year, the viewing platform for the fiery finale is the road near the skate park on Victoria Street. Access to Riverside Park is excluded as it is not safe.Viewers will look toward the levy bank where the milk churn is and there will be a bonfire there.Even though volunteers have been filling in road potholes as best they can, Jyllie warns people to look out for potholes.“Please be kind to each other and understand it’s an adventure,” Jyllie said."There will also be a surprise performance piece which will acknowledge our communities in North and South Lismore."The community is also invited to take part in the parade with a little flotilla for the lantern parade of 50 little lantern tinnies and boats which were created to give to flood families.If you would like to join in, they are walking behind the preschool lanterns and will meet up at the corner of Magellan Street and Keen Street at 5pm Saturday.For more information, visit https://www.lismorelanternparade.com.au.

A series of break ins and acts of vandalism have been reported in the Lismore CBD over the last week - to the dismay of local business owners. Sportspower Fitness Warehouse is the latest business to be broken into - and joins the Stockpot Kitchen in a growing list of businesses battling vandalism after the flood. Sportspower shares a building on Molesworth Street with Cummings Electrical and a chartered accountant firm (located behind the old Cummings building).Owner of the building, Elton Cummings said the owners of the sports store got broken into last Sunday morning. "The thieves must have looked at the place on the Saturday afternoon," Elton said. "They then came in at 5am on Sunday morning and cut live electrical wires which could have easily killed them. "They bashed out a power point and put their hand though a small hole in the floor and stole things off the racks."They stole about six shirt and pairs of shorts. "They left a torch with their finger prints on it - and they must have been small because they dug a hole under some bars and climbed under them to get out and in under the floor."While the damage to the building has been repaired, and building security now increased, Elton said they were waiting to see what happens with fingerprints now."The damage to the building and the expense to us to fix it is far greater than the value of what they stole," he said.Read more about businesses just reopened: Leo's reopens with Lismore's favourite fried foodIt's not the first time since the flood that the building has been broken into .Directly after the flood when there was no power, Elton said there had been three separate incidents where vandals had smashed glass. "We stopped than by putting a person on site to sleep here who chased the thieves one night and kept them away," he said.With lengthy waits for many buisnesses to get glaziers in to replace glass broken in the floods - as well as electricians to fix wiring, the actions of the vandals have astounded business owners. According to Elton, the situation is about to get worse."We have kids in town with nothing to do, nowhere to go, no bowling alleys, skating rink, no nothing - they are bored."The problem is idle hands - to get into trouble. But what will the kids do. It's a toughie."Read more: SUNDAY PROFILE: on the couch with Elton Cummings talking about floods, business and rescue serviceStockpot Kitchen vandalisedGraeme Stockdale , owner of Stockpot Kitchen said his Molesworth Street premises was vandalised in the early hours of Wednesday morning.He arrived at work Wednesday to find the front window smashed - so he shored it up with plywood.After working to get his business operational after the flood, he is taking the vanadalism with good humour."I actually like the new plywood look," he laughed."We are fine. But I don't know why someone is running around town doing this - there's enough boards up already, we don't need more"The Lismore App took a walk down Molesworth Street and saw another shopfront window smashed too.Graeme said he had heard word about break-ins at other Lismore businesses, including Lion and Lamb and the Chinese restaurant.Police respondThe Lismore App spoke to Richmond Police District Superintendent Scott Tanner about the recent vandalism and break-ins.Supt Tanner said local police were aware of a number of break and enters over the last week - and they are still under investigation."We ask people to let us know if they see suspicious behaviour in town," he said. "It is deplorable behaviour for people to break into businesses affected by flood. "There's nothing lower - these people have suffered enough."With less people walking about in the CBD these days, Supt Tanner said there are less "eyes and ears" reporting."But we have increased police presence in the CBD areaa and the CCTV cameras are operating in the CBD," he said."We know the Chinese restaurant was broken into a month ago - and we locked people up for that - and it was not juveniles."ReductionWhen it comes to statistics about break-ins in Lismore, Supt Tanner said he has seen a 30% reduction in them this year - as compared to the same time last year.(It is worth noting that this year, there are a lot less businesses open than last year.)If anyone notices anything suspicious in Lismore, Supt Tanner said they should call the Crimestoppers number 1800 333 000 or Lismore Police.Another window on Molesworth Street was smashed.

Lismore's favourite fried food - including potato scallops and dim sims - are back on the Lismore takeaway menu. With new oil in the fryers, Leo's food bar reopened at 9am today after being closed for four months since the big flood.Finally reopening was a relief to Leo's owners Judy and Warren.After 15 years in business in the Magellan Street location, it was never a question of if they would reopen, but when."We are back here again - but things are a little bit different," Judy said."We won't have chickens for a couple of weeks - and the cost of stock has gone up, so our food prices have too."But we are keeping it as low as we can."Judy said getting the shop ready to reopen after the devastating flood was due Warren's months of effort in refitting the shop. "Warren has done 99% of the work himself with the help of his two daughters and grandson," Judy said.The shop will open from Monday to Saturday from 9am, but Judy said when they close each day will depend on how many customers are walking through the door. Getting social post-floodWhile Judy and warren are still trying to get their phone and internet in the business sorted out, they are posting updates on social media.In the business' Facebook page, the couple revealed that their "hearts were broken with the rest of the community on February 28th.""We prepared the best we could by packing everything above '74 level, this proved not to be high enough. "On social media we watched the water levels continue to rise, we heard the horror that was unfolding, we hoped and prayed for the best for everyone. "When we were finally able to get in town, the devastation was incomprehensible. "The lives of each and every single person in the community had been affected. We entered what can only be described as annihilation. "The damage to the shop had been a lot worse than we could have ever anticipated or expected based on 2017 flood damage. "There were tears, there was anger and then fear set in. Would we re-open? Can we do this again? How are we going to do this? How are we going to afford this again?"Once the initial devastation had been processed, we said... we'll we have to pick ourselves up and get back to work. "Leo’s has been here for over 30 years and we plan to be here for many more years to come. "For the last few months, we have been working tirelessly to get the shop back up to standard to continue providing the community with hot, fresh quick service food. "We are pleased to announce WE ARE BACK!!!!! "We are operating on a limited basis as we have had to shut half the shop down due to the back being taken away with the force of the flood water. "Please be patient while we navigate through this new normal. We would like to thank everyone for their continued support and everyone who has provided positive words of encouragement." 

With domestic violence rates increasing after disasters (like fires and floods), a free workshop is set to help people identify what’s going on and understand how to deal with it.Run by Gender and Disaster Australia, the May 18 workshop is for all community members and disaster recovery workers.Gender and Disaster Australia director Debra Parkinson said the two hour, federally funded session is for all genders – and will also cover the effects of disaster on LGBTIQ+ people.“We want to facilitate a conversation so people can identify family and domestic violence and know what to do to respond constructively,” Debra said.Evacuation centres“In Lismore, after the floods, we heard about evacuation centre staff picking up on domestic violence and not knowing what to do to help.“Community members might have friends and family at home who are experiencing violence after floods and we can have conversations about what ordinary people can do.“Disaster is no excuse for family violence." “It’s for men as well - men don’t ask for help. So, we talk about ways to get help for men who might need it. “One of the workshop trainers, Steve O’Malley, is a firefighter. He’s spent more than 30 years working with us since we did our first research on how men respond to disasters like Black Saturday. The hero danger“There’s a gendered expectation applied to men and women in times disasters.“There’s a danger of expecting people to be heroes in disaster – and it’s damaging to men who find it hard to live up to that protector/provider role.“After the fires in 2018, we researched long term disaster resilience and interviewed 57 people.Aftermath of flood“Some people also had experience with devastating floods, where there’s a long hard aftermath and clean up.“It’s tough until basic government and private services like power internet and water service are back on. There’s the clean up mud and debris and asbestos. It’s a big task.Hierachy of grief“There are pressures not to talk about it. There’s hierarchy of grief – that someone else’s needs are higher than ours.“So, we put others’ needs first – and for women, there’s also pressure to be loyal to the man, making excuses like ‘he’s a good bloke, he’s suffering or traumatised’.“We all have a right to a safe environment."“There’s also pressure on communities, in the spotlight and pressured to be the resilient community that embodies the Aussie spirit.“People also don’t say anything because they are thinking about the children.”What to do?Debra said there are help lines to call, where people can safely speak about what’s happening to them.Workshop detailsThere will be two free workshops, but registration is essential because of limited numbers. Book here: Two-Hour Session: Lessons in Disaster Tickets, Multiple Dates | EventbriteTuesday, May 17, from 1-3pm, at Brunswick Valley Community CentreWednesday, May 18, from 1-3pm at Goonellabah Sports and Aquatic Centre.

With no clothes or shoes, and flooded out of their innundated homes, the staff of Lismore’s St Vincent’s Hospital kept showing up to work after the February flood.Their dedication and resilience was recently rewarded when Lismore’s Presentation Sisters raised thousands of dollars to help 64 of the most flood-affected 64 staff from the devastating flood.  St Vincent’s CEO, Steve Brierley, said out of 600 staff members, about 200 of them were cut off from work when the February 28 flood happened.“I realized how many staff didn’t live in the immediate area, because they couldn’t get into the island that Lismore had become,” Steve said.“But a number of staff whose houses went under in North, South and East Lismore, or Corkai still came to work - many without clothes.”Borrowed scrubs“We could give them scrubs to wear, but they had no shoes, but friends and colleagues helped them out.“It was amazing the resilience some people showed.“Some were in shock in the early stages and still hadn’t processed what was happening to them. Some had lost all their possessions.“We wanted them to feel welcome to come back to work and realized it would help them to get back to some sort of normality to be with colleagues who loved them - not surrounded by the bleakness of flooded houses.”Sleeping at workSteve said some of the staff with nowhere to go would sleep at the hospital.“We have an old cottage here for accommodation with six rooms that we cleared for staff,” he said.“We also had staff sleeping in vacant beds on wards and in the admissions area.“Some of the renal staff also stayed so they could treat renal patients who had to board at the hospital too.”“Many are still not able to return home and some will never able to and are living on the kindness of families and friends as best they can.“We already had a housing crisis here and now it’s much worse.”Sisters come to helpThat’s when Sister Anne Jordan from Lismore’s Presentation Sisters stepped in. “They were aware of the plight of our staff and raised a substantial amount of money, which was divided between 64 staff. They each received about $250,” Steve said.“We are grateful for their kindness – and the sisters said it was from the it was from people who donated to the appeal.“They also had a three bedroom unit in Dalley Street that they made available for our staff to stay in.”Presentation SistersSteve said, said the Presentation Sisters set up their congregation on the Northern Rivers in 1886 – and had a long association with the hospital.“Until recently, they took over pastoral care at St Vincent’s 42 years ago when the Sisters of Charity handed over the hospital to the Diocese of Lismore,” he said.Each of the donations given to staff members came with the message:“Our foundress, Nano Nagle, worked during challenging times. Her family motto of ‘Deeds not words’ inspires us still at this time. Please know our prayers are with you.”The boardSteve said the board of St Vincent’s indicated it will supplement donations and other offers of help with in-kind and financial support as appropriate.“The board already unanimously supported a special wage and salary payment to flood-affected staff,” he said.Herosim “After the sudden impact of the floods, we witnessed great heroism from our flood-affected staff, and most have returned to work despite their losses,” he said.“It’s a testament to their dedication to patient and resident care, and their desire to reclaim a sense of normality and dignity through work.Collective trauma“However, the hospital is mindful this is just one phase of a long response to collective trauma.“The next phase, which is a sense of disillusionment, will need to be fully appreciated and sensitively worked through before the rebuilding and restoration phase can begin.”St Vincent’s program of assistance has included helping find ongoing accommodation for displaced staff, transport, supplying essential items, supporting their social, emotional and spiritual needs where appropriate, and providing a secure and stable work environment.

Applications for Early Childhood Education and Care Flood Recovery Grants (ECEC) are now open to Lismore and surrounding Local Government Areas. State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin is encouraging eligible early childhood education and care (ECEC) services impacted by major flooding to apply for grants of up to $30,000 to help rebuild. Ms Saffin said she hoped ECEC services in Lismore City, Tweed Shire and Kyogle local government areas would get their share of $9-million in funding from the NSW Government. Services in the neighbouring LGAs of Byron Shire, Ballina Shire, Richmond Valley and Clarence Valley can also apply for funding by the closing date of 30 May 2022. “Many early childhood education and care operators in the Northern Rivers were severely impacted by the catastrophic flooding we experienced a few months ago, and any financial help is welcome,” Ms Saffin said. “I hope and trust that this application process runs smoothly so that eligible services receive funding quickly to undertake repairs or replace valuable resources. “Many local families rely heavily on ECEC services so the sooner they return to normal, the better it will be for our local communities.” The ECEC Flood Recovery Grants are available to community preschools, mobile preschools, long day care services, multifunctional Aboriginal Children’s Services, Aboriginal Child and Family Centres, family day care services, occasional care services and out-of-school hours care services. For more information and to apply, visit: www.nsw.gov.au/floods/financial-support/businesses 

STORY UPDATE: 2.16pmNSW Ambulance staff have confirmed that a woman in her 70s was taken to Lismore Base Hospital, following a car accident on Ballina Road this afternoon.A NSW Ambulance spokesperson said the woman was in a stable condition and had some abraisions.She said the accident involved a single car that had collided with a power pole.The Lismore App understands that the power was out on High Street, and surrounding areas following the accident, but is now restored.ORIGINAL STORY: 1.42pmNSW Ambulance staff were called to the scene of a car accident on Ballina Road this afternoon.A NSW Ambulance spokesperson said at 1.20pm this afternoon, the NSW Ambulance Service was called to the scene where a car had crashed into a power pole.The spokesperson said he was still waiting for more details on the transported patient.Traffic is still backed up and moving slowly on the busy road, near Rotary Drive. The Lismore App will keep you updated as more information comes to hand.Read more traffic news: Pacific Highway roadwork brings traffic changes from todayTraffic is backed up on Ballina Road.Traffic traffic conditions change on Bruxner Highway at Uralba

In anticipation of possible severe weather later this week, the NSW SES is holding a Lismore community preparedness meeting tomorrow, Wednesday May 11.The meeting will be a briefing for the possible weather and is based on preparedness for such weather, should it occur.Read about the Lismore SES, the February flood and new members: Floods see Lismore SES innundated with new members All Lismore residents are invited to attend the meeting at 6pm at the Whitebrook Theatre, Southern Cross University.A NSW SES spokesperson said the aim of the meeting is to ensure the Lismore community has timely and direct communication with the NSW SES Lismore City Unit and are receiving information that may assist in preparing themselves and their homes."The SES is encouraging people to get ready and ensure that their property, family, friends and loved ones are prepared for severe weather, should it eventuate," the spokesperson said."We are asking that the community keeps up-to date with the latest information from the NSW SES, the Bureau of Meteorology and LiveTraffic NSW."For further information on the current forecast, please visit the BOM website at http://www.bom.gov.au/.

When the big floods hit Lismore this year, it was the State Emergency Service (SES) that the people of Lismore looked to for help.So it might come as no surprise that since the floods, more locals than ever have signed up to join the local SES unit.Read about the community meeting tomorrow: SES calls community meeting ahead of potential severe weather Lismore City SES unit commander Lacy Loloa recently ran an induction training course for new SES volunteers, but made it clear that you don’t need to be out in the field to help out in the SES.Lacy wants even more people to get involved, so the local SES has more members to respond effectively in future disasters and extreme weather events.“There are so many roles to be filled, from being scribes, or in catering and logistics - we need all help we can get,” she said.“Having more boots on the ground means we have more people who can go knocking door to door when emergencies are happening.”With 40 new applicants ready to help out, Lacy said the recent SES induction included vehicle familiarization training in how to use sirens, radios and light bars.“They also learn about different types of vehicles - some are for storms and rescues,” she said.“Some of the new volunteers signed up after the February flood and then assisted in second major flood in March, helping as gophers.“You can apply online to the Lismore unit, or to the Goonellabah incident management unit - where computer, media and logistical support teams help to keep everything running.“Smaller areas like Coraki and Broadwater have smaller SES units - and they need more volunteers too.”To volunteer, visit https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/get-involved/volunteer/Lismore HQ’s futureWhile the Lismore City SES Headquarters on Brunswick Street is not yet fully operational, the Lismore staff are back in the building and working, while waiting for contractors to repair things (much like the rest of Lismore).“In previous floods, like the 2017 and the second March flood, the water only reached the road in front. But the February major flood was so high we were innunated about 50mm – it was enough to do some damage,” Lacy said.“Even though building was built up fairly high, we evacuated because of the uncertainty about the water level rising.“Fortunately, our shed with its equipment and vehicles were higher and safe.“We’d love to build another level on top of the building but we don’t have the funding."February flood and InquiryWhen the February flood hit, the SES staff moved their operational equipment up to the Lismore Heights Bowling Club and left a few staff at the SES HQ to assist with evacuations, triage and sending vessels.“We normally launch our boats from Brunswick Street in front, but in the February flood, we were dropping evacuees at the front door,” Lacy said.As a result of the recent flood experience, Lacy said the local SES has made a number of recommendations to the NSW Flood Inquiry.“We definitely need more resources,” she said. “The severity of it took us all by surprise."What happened?The role civilians played in rescues is something that Lismore City SES unit commander Lacy Loloa has the utmost respect for.“We have so much respect for the civilians who put their lives on the line to help,” she said.When the February flood came, the Lismore City SES had five of their own SES vessels, as well as two from Southern Cross University, and two others from other SES units.In total, the SES had nine boats on the water and three inflatable ‘archangel’ vessels.“Even if we had 100 boats, we didn’t have enough members to man the boats – that was where the community stepped up,” Lacy said.“During the 2019 bushfires inquiry, Commissioner Fitzsimmon said ‘we can’t have a fire truck at every house’. It’s the same with the boats during the flood.“At first, we were encouraging civilian members to help, but had to withdraw that. It was about the potential liability of asking them for assistance.”ChangesLacy said a number of changes are needed to make Lismore streets safer to navigate in times of floods.“Civilians were found trapped on one side of railway line and we’ve made recommendations to change the train lines – they stop boats from being able to cross to access North and South Lismore to evacuate and ferry people out.“It will take one massive inquiry to make it safe.”

The local Northern Rivers region is set to benefit from new social housing and new urgent medical care clinics - if local Labor candidate, Patrick Deegan’s party wins the upcoming Federal election.HousingIn a press conference held today, Mr Deegan said Labor’s $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund would build 30,000 new social and affordable housing properties.“The electorates of Page and Richmond will be first cabs off the rank to get these new social residences built,” Mr Deegan said.“Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness will prioritise assessing our housing needs - working out which buildings need to be repaired or rebuilt in new locations.“He will work with local community housing providers to create social housing stock and get people into new homes as quickly as possible.Crisis “Our region already had a huge shortage of affordable housing before the floods, but now the housing situation is a crisis“We know it’s not an immediate solution – and part of the fund will be for repairing current social housing properties. “People need hope now and the solutions being rolled out as part of the disaster response are happening too slowly.”Mr Deegan said it was important for the Federal Government to work closely with the NSW Government in order to see local issues addressed in a timely manner.“We have already been speaking with the reconstruction corporation and working closely with local State Government representative Janelle Saffin in local communities,” he said“We want to make sure any obstacles are overcome in order to get speedy results for the community.”Urgent Health CareNew Medicare Urgent Care Clinics run by existing GP clinics and Community Health Centres are also planned if Labor wins the election.Mr Deegan said the clinics would provide bulk billed services for minor injuries including sprains, broken bones, stitches, wound care, insect bites, minor ear and eye problems. “The clinics will help people with time-critical treatments and relieve pressure on our already overburdened Emergency Department at Lismore Base Hospital,” he said.“The new clinics will be open during extended business hours – at least 8am to 10pm – seven days a week. No appointment will be needed. All patients will need is their Medicare card.”Mr Deegan said funding for the new clinics will be through grants, so existing GP-led clinics can open longer and increase the number of doctors, nurses and allied health staff.“One-off grants will also be provided to improve equipment and facilities, like x-ray machines.“Urgent Care Clinics have been successful in other countries such as New Zealand, where they provide 2.5 million consultations a year. “The New Zealand experience shows Urgent Care Clinics can work for families and take the pressure off emergency departments.”NeglectMr Deegan said the current shortage of nurses and doctors working in regional areas was due to “nine years of National and Liberal Party neglect”.“We haven’t seen enough in terms of training new doctors and nurses,” he said.“Labor plans to attract more GPs to the new urgent care clinics and give them more option to practice as GPs rather than move into specialty focus areas.”When asked how he thought Labor would fare in the upcoming election in a region long held by the Nationals and Liberals, Mr Deegan said “the voters of Page will make that decision on the ground”.“There’s a mood for change and people are unhapppy with the current government,” he said. “Voting Labor is the way to change that.”   

With 17 musical acts on the bill, and loads of enviable raffle prizes, this weekend’s Flood Aid fundraiser is set to be fun for the whole family. Flood Aid organizer Brent Skimmings said the two day event will take place at Lismore Heights Sports Club – Saturday and Sunday May 7 and 8, from 2 to 9pm.Brent was born and raised in Lismore, but was living in Brisbane and working for a  brewery when the devastating floods hit Lismore in February and March.“I couldn’t get here to help but I wanted to do something to help,” Bent said.“I have a lot of music, sporting and brewery contacts and thought I could come up with a music festival and give the proceeds back to Lismore flood relief.“So I talked to the mayor Steve Krieg and chose the Lismore City Council Flood Appeal as the recipient for the money.”Brent said the Lismore Heights Sports Club was a great venue as it had an indoor and an outdoor space for music acts.MusicThe gig will see an indoor stage and an outdoor marquee hosting local musical acts throughout the weekend.Music acts include the popular bands Pink Zinc, Hot Dog and Bush, the Lismore Pipe Band – as well as the Cath Simes band.“Cath Simes runs Mary Gs as well and she and her band were directly affected by floods,” Brent said. “All the bands are donating their time for free.”FoodFood and drinks will be available in both areas throughout the weekend – and there will be a slush puppy stand for the kids.Raffle prizesAmong the goodies to be given away as prizes will be sighed jerseys, game tickets and other sporting memorabilia from the Matildas, West Tigers, Gold Coast Titans, the Socceroos and the Brisbane Broncos.There’s also a prize night away at the Crystalbrook Byron Resort.Tickets are available at the door, and cost $20 per adult per day or $30 for both days. Children can enter by donation.

With rain predicted every day for the next week, it’s understandable that Lismore residents might be feeling a little anxious.So, the Lismore App contacted the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) to get the lowdown on what we might expect over the coming days.BOM forecaster Jake Phillips said that while rain is predicted, at this stage there are no signs of severe thunderstorms or large rainfall totals for Lismore in the next few days. Jake said it’s more likely that thunderstorms will develop further to the west in the tablelands.“The potential rain and weather instability is being caused by a low pressure system hanging around the region,” he said.“If we do get a storm here, we might get 20-30 mm of rainfall, but it’s more likely it will be less than 10mm of rain.“Tomorrow will be similar – most likely rain of 10-15mm unless a storm comes.”Thankfully, Jake said the storms we could get here in the next week are not like the storms we saw earlier in the summer.By the weekend, cooler conditions will arrive – with less rain likely on Sunday.Jake said there’s no need for people to get alarmed at the weather predictions for this week, but that we should keep an eye on the weather next week. “Our computer weather modeling suggests Northern NSW may get more rain next week,” he said.“We are keeping an eye on it. Parts of Queensland are likely to see significant rain as the week progresses – we are not sure but will get a better idea as the week goes on.”With change and unpredictability being the only constant in life, the predictions of a weather forecaster have become exceptionally important to people living in fire-prone - or flood-prone towns like Lismore.“We always give a lot of attention to weather predictions – but with such unpredictable weather patterns, you will never get perfect forecast -there are so many variables in weather systems,” Jake said.With the world currently in a La Nina weather pattern, Jake said this means storms have more humidity in the atmosphere, leading to an overall increase in the likelihood of storms with rain.“But this is not the sole reason we are getting them,” Jake said.“The number of significant weather events in the region are consistent with what climatologists are seeing on a wider scale – more severe weather and shifting climate patterns overall.”