Our town has always been known for its flooding.
Most summers the river rises, sometimes up to five times,  from February up until early May. Easter is always wet. It’s what it does here.

By now you would have seen the photos of what happened on Feb 28, 2022. My place is out of flood water, but so many people in our town thought they were too. When the river came up this time, after a full seven days of the sort of solid “flood rain” that has long term locals checking their flood plan, it kept coming up. Past the levels of 1974 and 1954. Past Cyclone Debbie’s recent horror levels. 2.4 metres higher in fact. That’s the second story of all the shops downtown, that’s into the Lismore square, over the macca’s sign, into the cathedral, right through half a dozen schools. 

Lismore is struggling to regain itself. The short sentence “lost everything” does not even begin to describe the losses, trauma and ongoing horror of this time. I’m ok, but there are many of my fellow artists who aren’t, who are rebuilding their practice whilst  they are struggling to rebuild their homes. We will bounce back. The concerted effort of volunteers who saved lives as the flooding was happening, have also taken on the back-breaking and soul-destroying business of rebuilding homes and lives.

There are many ways you can help. Googling “help Lismore flood” gives many options. This is one via the Lismore City Council  Contact me if you have an idea that could benefit. Coming into winter it’ll be rugs for the floors, and blankets. But the needs are ever-changing.