Volunteer community group, Resilient Lismore, has received a much-needed funding boost of $15,000 after securing the major share of the special flood relief round of the #GreaterNorthernRivers program.
The Program’s May round provided a one-off funding pool of $30,000 split amongst three beneficiaries as a way of supporting flood-affected communities across the Northern Rivers region.
After winning this month’s community vote, Resilient Lismore, plan to use the funding to continue to support the many thousands of people across the region that are still recovering from the catastrophic floods that destroyed much of the region in March this year.
Resilient Lismore (originally Lismore Helping Hands) is a grassroots, community-run organisation that was formed following the 2017 flooding to supporting Lismore residents to rebuild their lives by connecting locals with volunteer help, information and services.
Resilient Lismore Coordinator, Elly Bird, said the group has been inundated with calls for assistance and many people in the region are still facing an uncertain future.
“We are a volunteer-powered community group that provides support to people who are navigating the recovery process. Our community hub links people with donated goods and information and our tool library is providing essential cleaning supplies and equipment to help the community rebuild,” Elly explained.
The group has already responded to more than 2,000 requests for help and there are many more people in the community that still require assistance.
“We manage the Resilient Lismore Facebook group, with over 30,000 members, which is the primary online space for the Northern Rivers community to access reliable, timely information and offers of help.
“Everyone involved with Resilient Lismore is incredibly grateful for this funding from Greater Bank that will go directly to supporting our community to rebuild and to make as many houses as possible safe, secure and warm for winter."
Resilient Lismore Coordinator, Elly Bird
“We’ve also decided to share this money with the Koori Mail and the Community Healing Hub, two other critical community initiatives that are supporting people right now in Lismore.”
Also benefiting from this special funding round was second placed Mid Richmond Neighbourhood Centre (Ballina), who received $10,000 and third placed, Momentum Collective Casino Neighbourhood Centre, receiving $5,000.
Greater Bank's Northern Rivers Regional Sales Manager, Scott McCluskey, said Resilient Lismore is a great example of a community looking after its own.
“The Northern Rivers region has been through two major floods so far this year, with the second reaching levels more than two metres higher than the previous record,” Scott said.
“The display of community spirit and resilience of the people has been unlike I have ever experienced, which is why I am delighted that Greater Bank is lending its support by giving back to the community that has supported us for so long.
“We know our support of the three organisations will be paid forward many times over to the people who need it most across the Northern Rivers region.”
Greater Bank also conducted a special Wild Card Draw for its May Community Funding Round , allowing any community organisation who nominated to be part of the program to go in the draw to win a one-off investment of $2,000.
Taking out the wildcard craw and the $2,000 is the Far North Coast Softball Association, who has been administering the sport in the region for more than 70 years.
The nominees for the June round of the #GreaterNorthernRivers Community Funding Program are Ballina Little Athletics Club, Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital and Casino & District Family History Group Inc., with $3,000 up for grabs.
Online voting is now open to the public closing 5:00pm, Wednesday 29 June 2022 at www.greater.com.au/greaternorthernrivers.