Lismore News

Celebrating resilience in relationships

Published

1 year ago

29 June 2022

JeffG

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

Further charges laid following man’s death – Lismore

Published

3 days ago

29 November 2023

JeffG

Further charges laid following man’s death – Lismore

Detectives have laid an additional charge of murder following the death of man after an alleged assault in Lismore.

Officers attached to Richmond Police District were called to a home on Keen Street, Girrards Hill, about 12.45pm on Saturday 30 September 2023, and found the homeowner suffering critical head injuries.

He was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Lismore Base Hospital for treatment of multiple fractures.

Detectives commenced an investigation under Strike Force Nemesia and a 46-year-old man was charged. He remains before the courts.

On Saturday 7 October 2023, investigators were notified the man had subsequently died in hospital.

An additional charge of murder will be laid at Lismore Local Court today (Wednesday 29 November 2023).

Health News

Specialist mental health service for new parents opens in Lismore

Published

1 week ago

22 November 2023

Liam

CEO Gidget Foundation Australia Arabella Gibson, NSW Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson, Lismore MP Janelle Saffin, Gidget Angel Kaiden Powell and Tresillian operations manager Rachael McLean at the opening of Gidget House in Lismore.

Specialist mental health service for new parents opens in Lismore

By Sarah Waters

New and expecting parents in the Northern Rivers will now have access to free specialised mental health care as they navigate their journey through parenthood.

Last Friday, Gidget House officially opened at Tresillian Lismore Family Care Centre to support parents struggling with perinatal depression and anxiety.

Gidget House provides year-long, free individual psychological counselling services and holistic care delivered face-to face and via telehealth.

New data from Gidget Foundation Australia reveals one in two parents living in regional NSW lack both emotional and practical support from their family and friends.

A quarter of parents in regional NSW also needed the most support between 3-12 months after the birth of their child.

While one in three felt a loss of identity in most aspects of their life after having a baby.

NSW Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson officially opened Gidget House and welcomed the service for expectant and new parents to the area.

CEO Gidget Foundation Australia Arabella Gibson, NSW Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson, Lismore MP Janelle Saffin, Gidget Angel Kaiden Powell and Tresillian operations manager Rachael McLean at the opening of Gidget House in Lismore.

Ms Jackson said families across the Northern Rivers had experienced unparalleled challenges over recent years with floods and threats of fires, whilst still navigating adjusting to early parenthood.

“This is why providing mental health support in regional communities such as Lismore and the surrounds is a top priority of ours,” she said.

“It’s important for expectant and new parents to have access to quality services like Gidget Foundation Australia in times of need and know that help is never too far away.”

Gidget Foundation Australia CEO Arabella Gibson said the expansion of face-to-face services across the state will provide much needed support for parents in regional locations.

“With half of parents in regional NSW reporting a lack of emotional and practical support after having a baby, it’s necessary for us to expand our services to reach more mums and dads who may be struggling,” Ms Gibson said.

“As part of our valued commitment to support the emotional wellbeing of expectant and new parents across the country, we’re hopeful our expansion to Lismore will provide a safe space for open conversations with perinatal specialist clinicians.”

It is estimated that perinatal depression and anxiety affect almost 100,000 expectant and new parents in Australia each year.

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Lismore News

SYDNEY SPRINTCAR DRIVERS DOMINATE AT LISMORE SPEEDWAY

Published

1 week ago

22 November 2023

Liam

JESSIE ATTARD - Lismore Speedway - November 18, 2023. Photo by Tony Powell.

SYDNEY SPRINTCAR DRIVERS DOMINATE AT LISMORE SPEEDWAY

By Dennis Newlyn

Sydney Sprintcar competitor Jessie Attard drove to a superb victory in the “Hoedown at the Showground” 25-lap feature race at Castrol Lismore Speedway, Saturday night, November 18.

Sydney drivers dominated the top three main event placings after Sam Walsh finished second and Daniel Sayre was placed third.

However, it was Attard’s night.

He posted his initial feature win and the emotion overflowed when he unbuckled from the driver’s seat of his high horsepower 410 Sprintcar at the start/finish line after the race.

AT LEFT, SAM WALSH, (runner-up), winner Jessie Attard (centre) and third-placed Daniel Sayre - Sprintcar main event, Lismore Speedway, November 18, 2023. Photo by Tony Powell.

Lismore Speedway Sprintcar main event top three: Winner Jessie Attard (centre) with runner-up Sam Walsh (left) and third-placed Daniel Sayre. Photo: Tony Powell.

“A lot of work has gone into this win,” he said choked on words as the momentous moment overflowed with emotion.

“A lot of people made this possible and I could not have got it done it without them. It’s (the main event win) now off my shoulders.”

Attard drove a near-perfect race as he staved off Walsh’s full-on pursuit. At one point they ran close in testing lapped traffic, but Attard kept his cool and maintained his advantage. He posted the fastest lap time of the race when he clocked 11.668 seconds for an estimated speed of 110.5 mph near mid-distance.

Walsh had set up the suspension especially to handle the tight confines of the Lismore Showground bull ring, but admitted after the race, the car was not at its best.

“We got beaten by a better car tonight and congratulations to Jessie,” a gracious Walsh said.

“We were really battling tonight. We spent all night trying to keep the front wheels on the ground,” he explained in relation to the continual suspension adjustments.

Daniel Sayre made a late charge into third after following Brody Appleby for most of the race.

JESSIE ATTARD – Lismore Speedway – November 18, 2023. Photo by Tony Powell.

“The traffic was pretty hectic out there trying to get through the lapped cars,” Sayre admitted.

Local Sprintcar stars were out of luck after Tony Bridge posted the best result with a ninth in the feature race.

The only incident involved Kobi Wright who caused a red light near the end of the race when he crashed upside down into the fence, however he was uninjured.

Other main event winners were: Boyd Chaffey (Formula 500s), Charlie Brown (Formula 500 Juniors), Matt Gordon (Legend Cars), Nathan Gordon (Production Sedans), Luke Manttan (Pro Sprints), Jacob Jolley (Wingless Sprints).

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