Lismore News

Celebrating resilience in relationships

Published

2 years ago

29 June 2022

JeffG

Celebrating resilience in relationships (800 words) Story by Lara Leahy Community groups in Lismore are coming together to promote healthy relationships and to celebrate resilience in people that have experienced domestic abuse, family violence and sexual assault. There is a greater need for us all to be aware of language, situations and what we can do to contribute to a kinder, more understanding and safer community.

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Celebrating resilience in relationships

Story by Lara Leahy

Community groups in Lismore are coming together to promote healthy relationships and to celebrate resilience in people that have experienced domestic abuse, family violence and sexual assault. There is a greater need for us all to be aware of language, situations and what we can do to contribute to a kinder, more understanding and safer community.

A spokesperson for the Lismore Domestic Violence Liaison Committee (LDVLC), Jillian Knightsmith said, “Our committee acknowledges that domestic and family violence has escalated in communities across Australia and around the world this year in the wake of COVID-19 and is now at risk of further escalation due to the impact of the recent natural disaster.”

About 20 organisations come together to form the committee (LDVLC). This includes services helping women, men and children as well as whole family and gender support.

Ms Knightsmith talks of the nature of aggression at home saying there is a wide spectrum of types and severity of abuse, “Domestic and family violence is often a pattern of controlling or coercive behaviour.

“Where it often begins is with controlling behaviours that may involuntarily take away your freedoms to be with others, or control finances or monitor your social and communication avenues. This can also look like threats to the safety of pets or other family members and the person being coercive can even manipulate the situation by speaking of self harm. If you don’t feel comfortable with a situation, it is good to address it, as over time, the severity can become more serious.”

Healthy relationships provide autonomy over decisions about your body, mind and life. Discomfort in a decision or undue pressure over determining what is best for yourself can be an indicator that it is time to address what is really needed.

Responsibility for this kind of safety is the same as taking precautions when driving on the roads or working with tools. Ms Knightsmith says, “Organisations like ours play only a small part of the response to abuse and neglect. Family, friends and neighbours are the unsung heros – those that are there before, in the middle of a crisis or situation, and afterwards.

“The national initiative “Stop it at the Start” says it all. We need to be more aware of our own mannerisms that may be contributing to the problem, as well as how to talk to people when you see something concerning in others.” Like anything that doesn’t go right – it is best to address it before it takes too serious a turn and breaks up a family. Or worse

The community is the front line – they are the ones that have the capacity to stop it before it starts. The best way is to be alert to language – behaviours, patterns, prejudices or preferences towards negative bias can become automatic. Bringing it up in conversation by drawing attention to it, “You often say that, whatever made you feel that way?” Or perhaps call out behaviour, “That’s not respectful” or “there is another way to discuss this.” You may be able to say, “Wow, they are some strong opinions, have you spoken to a counsellor about that?”

If we consider the way we interact, Ms Knightsmith draws attention to the probability that we have made a choice and helped. She hopes that, “ everyone that reads this can think of something that they can do or have done to make us a more resilient and kind community.

“Kindness is about not just going through the motions – It’s about doing the best things for others because you want to – rather than just because you have to. It’s about being genuine. Having compassion, respect and empathy for a situation. We all deserve and need kindness.”

Breaking these habits are key to making changes in our communities. “Children are learning from us all the time – they learn these negative traits . It’s about adults -the decision makers breaking the mould setting a better example.”

When considering your own situation, sometimes we need to put ourselves in anothers shoes – if a friend came to you and told the story that you are living, what advice would you give them?

Now has never been a better time to acknowledge awareness and cause change.

The Lismore digital campaign is designed to share stories on the website that celebrates the resilience of individuals and families who have experienced domestic and family violence.. You are invited to get involved, help share stories, celebrate resilience and healthy relationships as well as build awareness.

Lismoredomesticviolencecommittee.org.au

The images with this story are from the Love Bites initiative at secondary schools. A program designed to promote healthy relationships in young people. “After covid and floods interruptions, the program is hoping to be back in schools by the end of the year.”

Lismore Domestic Violence Liaison Committee

NSW Temporary Accommodation 1800 152152

NSW DV Response 1800 656 463

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Lismore News

Growth Spurt for Lismore’s Community Gardens

Published

1 day ago

5 December 2024

Liam

Lismore Community Garden Team with Greater Bank representatives

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Growth Spurt for Lismore’s Community Gardens

By Ian Rogers

Lismore’s beloved Community Garden, a hub of hope and healing in the wake of the 2022 floods, has received a much-needed boost through Greater Bank’s Northern Rivers Community Funding Program. The volunteer-led initiative, known for its lush produce and welcoming atmosphere, won the latest round of funding, aiding its mission to rejuvenate the gardens and nourish the community.

Rebuilding After the Floods

The floods devastated much of the garden’s infrastructure, including water tanks and solar panels. However, thanks to a dedicated group of 20 volunteers, the garden has slowly come back to life.

“Progress is slow, but our aim remains to nourish the community with food, socialising, and support,” said volunteer Rhonda. “The gardens also serve as a venue for community activities and gatherings.”

The volunteers also stock a ‘sharing table’ with fresh fruits, vegetables, and seedlings for locals to enjoy and grow in their own backyards.

A Community Effort

Greater Bank’s Regional Manager, Steph Smith, praised the volunteers for their dedication and highlighted the bank’s commitment to the region.

“Over the last three years, we’ve donated over $100,000 to groups in the Northern Rivers region, all working to improve our communities,” she said. “The volunteers at Lismore Community Garden are incredibly generous with their time and produce, and we’re thrilled to support their efforts.”

Rhonda also expressed her gratitude for the program’s impact.
“We rely on donations to keep the gardens sustainable, and we’re so grateful for this support,” she said. “It’s a wonderful program that lets our community have a say in where the funds go.”

Call for New Volunteers

With plenty of work still to do, the Community Garden welcomes new members to join their team of volunteers. The group tends to the garden on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, though the space is always open for the public to enjoy.

Next Funding Round

The November round of the #GreaterNorthernRivers Community Funding Program offers another $3,000 in funding, with entrants including Lismore Preschool Incorporated, CFD Foundation Henry James Fund, and Ballina Little Athletics Inc.

For more information or to support the Lismore Community Garden, stop by on a volunteer day or connect through the garden’s community events.

For more local news, click here.

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Lismore News

Lismore South Public School Honoured at 2024 Resilient Australia Awards

Published

1 day ago

5 December 2024

Liam

Lismore South Public School staff award for the MacKillop Seasons’ Stormbirds program

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Lismore South Public School Honoured at 2024 Resilient Australia Awards

By Ian Rogers

Lismore South Public School has achieved national recognition, winning the 2024 Resilient Australia National School Award for its implementation of the MacKillop Seasons’ Stormbirds program. The prestigious award, announced on Wednesday in Canberra, celebrates community-driven initiatives that enhance resilience to disasters and emergencies across Australia.

The Resilient Australia Awards, managed by the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience, highlight innovative programs that promote preparedness, recovery, and community cohesion in the face of adversity. This year, two initiatives by MacKillop Seasons, including the Stormbirds program, stood out for their impact on communities affected by natural disasters in New South Wales and Victoria.

Building Resilience in Lismore

Assistant Principal Gaye Titcume of Lismore South Public School emphasised the program’s transformative impact on students recovering from natural disasters.

“Students couldn’t wait for their turn to attend and wanted to be involved,” said Ms. Titcume. “When companions––those who deliver the program––came to the classroom door to gather their group, other children were asking when they could go. The discussions extended beyond the sessions, helping both students and staff process the events that affected them, their families, and our community.”

A Sustainable Model for Community Recovery

The Stormbirds program, part of MacKillop Seasons’ offerings, equips children and young people with the tools to navigate change and loss, fostering resilience in the aftermath of natural disasters.

Fiona McCallum, General Manager of MacKillop Seasons, praised the partnership with Lismore South Public School and celebrated the win.

“The beauty of Stormbirds and our other program, Seasons for Growth, lies in their ability to build lifelong resilience skills. These programs are community-driven, training local professionals to ensure sustainable delivery,” Ms. McCallum said.

With its success in Lismore, the program has drawn interest from other communities seeking to strengthen their capacity to support recovery and build resilience tailored to their unique challenges.

A Broader Impact Across Australia

The Stormbirds program’s success wasn’t limited to Lismore. Wendy Ronalds, Community Resilience Officer in East Gippsland, won the Victoria state-level award for Mental Health and Wellbeing for delivering MacKillop Seasons programs in her region.

The increasing demand for MacKillop Seasons initiatives reflects their effectiveness in supporting children and young people to manage change and loss in disaster-prone areas.

Looking Ahead

Principal Larissa Polak and Assistant Principal Gaye Titcume, along with representatives from MacKillop Seasons, proudly accepted the award in Canberra. This recognition underscores the critical role of community-driven programs in fostering resilience and recovery across Australia.

For more information on MacKillop Seasons’ Stormbirds and Seasons for Growth programs, visit MacKillop Seasons.

For more local news, click here.

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Lismore News

Merry Christmas Lismore – Council unveils spectacular upcycled Christmas tree

Published

1 day ago

5 December 2024

Liam

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Merry Christmas Lismore – Council unveils spectacular upcycled Christmas tree

By Robert Heyward

Lismore City Council has unveiled its iconic sustainable Christmas tree, signalling the start of a vibrant month-long series of festivities for the community and local businesses, and underscoring that Lismore is thriving and open for business.

Now in its ninth year, the upcycled Christmas tree stands proudly at the corner of Keen and Magellan Streets, continuing a tradition that began in 2015. This unique tree, made entirely from repurposed materials, is a meaningful gift from Council staff to the Lismore community.

Jon Gibbons, General Manager of Lismore City Council, highlighted the significance of the tree.

“Each year, our upcycled tree serves as a symbol of sustainability, inspiring people to think creatively about giving materials a second life through upcycling,” he said.

This year’s tree boasts a stunning rainbow theme, featuring hundreds of upcycled PET bottles ranging in size from 600ml to 2 litres. The bottles were sourced from the Recycling & Recovery Centre and generously donated by staff.

The project was led by Council’s Martin Soutar, who praised the collaborative efforts of staff from various departments.

“Our tree is more than a decoration; it’s a message of resilience and community spirit—a gift from us to the people and businesses of Lismore, created with dedication and teamwork,” Soutar said.

To explore the full calendar of Christmas events in Lismore, visit www.xmasinlismore.com.au.

For more local news, click here.

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