To mark the one-year anniversary of the 28 February natural disaster, Lismore City Council is holding a series of events to allow our community to reflect on the catastrophic flood and to look forward as we rebuild our City.
Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg said REFLECT, REBUILD Lismore will give residents the opportunity to once again come together to reflect on the past 12 months, reconnect, heal and hopefully enjoy some entertainment to mark the city's new beginning as we rebuild.
"While the morning of 28 February dramatically changed our city, it also revealed the best of our nature with stranger coming to the aid of stranger, neighbour helping neighbour and our whole community standing as one," he said.
"There is no doubt that this has been the toughest year for many of us, which is why on the first anniversary of 28 February it is important to come together as a community and reflect on what happened on that horrible morning and also on how far we have all come since.
"It is also a time to look to our future and our City's future as we rebuild together.
"REFLECT, REBUILD Lismore is for our community with all events free."
REFLECT, REBUILD Lismore is funded by the NSW Government.
Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said these anniversary events are recognition of what happened, what we lost including lives, and also an opportunity to recognise the way we rallied, responded and looked after each other.
"Despite everything I see an optimism in our community, and now is the time to get stuck into reimagining Lismore," she said.
The first event is a Service of Reflection and Healing for our whole community to come together at Mortimer Oval from 6pm with the service between 6.30pm and 7.30pm. Prior to this a private event will be held to recognise members of the Tinny Army who saved countless lives on that fateful morning.
Running from Tuesday, 28 February to Sunday, 19 March, REFLECT, REBUILD Lismore also features a Community Concert at the Turf Club on Sunday, 5 March for those in the Lismore LGA, an open CBD Gathering on Saturday, 4 March with CBD businesses, food vendors, local artists, roving entertainers and four live music stages around the block which will be closed to traffic.
Other events include a Wellbeing Hub at the Quad between Tuesday, 28 February and Sunday, 5 March, a welcome party for the Bowilzilla Skate event at Nimbin on Thursday, 2 March and a Flea Circus Skate event at GSAC on Friday, 3 March.
The two final events are a Community Cricket 20/20 with former Australian Test cricketers, led by Adam Gilchrest, playing with local senior and junior cricketers at Oakes Oval on Saturday, 11 March and an Opera in the Gardens at the Lismore Turf Club on Sunday, 19 March with well-known international performers and orchestra.
A free bus shuttle service will be available for some events. Those who need transport to other events can contact Hart Services service on 1300 874 278 which is kindly providing a free pick-up.
Full details can be found on Council's Visit Lismore website at www.visitlismore.com.au and on Council's Facebook page.
