Many residential properties in North Lismore are part of the Home Buyback stream of the Resilient Homes Program, the largest residential buyback program in Australian history.
As the suburb transitions from a vibrant neighbourhood to a new future, many local stories, its history and the deep understanding of place will move with the residents.
Living Memory is a community project with Living Lab Northern Rivers and the NSW Reconstruction Authority exploring the stories, history and memories of North Lismore. At the heart of this work is the desire to creatively support a community experiencing a massive transformation — to tell their stories in their own words.
As a recent North Lismore resident, this project is close to Living Lab Northern Rivers’ Engagement Director Dan Etheridge’s heart.
‘North Lismore is more than just a place, it’s a community with a rich history,’ he said. ‘Capturing the voices and faces of those who have shaped it allows us to honour the spirit of this area and the deep connections people have here.’
Living Memory Community Workshop
If you’ve been a resident of North Lismore or have a special connection to the place, your local knowledge is vital and Living Lab Northern Rivers would love you to be involved.
Come join local historian Adele Wessel and photographic artist Cherine Fahd as they share more about the project and learn how it can be designed with the interests of locals in mind.
The workshop will be happening Thursday 17 October, from 5pm-7pm, at the Living Lab Northern Rivers shopfront, 11 Woodlark Street, Lismore. The event is free, but places are limited and registrations are essential.
Tell your story pop-up photobooth
North Lismore’s community is invited to be centre-stage. Photographic artist Cherine Fahd believes photography can bring people and communities together, and creatively address moments of significant social change.
Her photobooths will be set up North Lismore and Living Lab Northern Rivers invites locals to come along — by yourself or with everyone in your family, neighbours, mates or local club!
On the day share the experience of group portraiture with others, bring memorabilia and personal stories, and help us to create some lasting memories of the neighbourhood you are part of.
North Lismore pop-up Photo Booths will be happening Friday 29 November, from 4-6pm and Saturday 30 November from 8.30am-11am, at 43 Bridge Street, North Lismore (old general store building). The event is free, with individuals, families and groups all welcome.
For more information, visit llnr.com.au/living-memory.
Oral history interviews
A series of oral histories with North Lismore residents will be created as part of Living Memory. The collection of stories will explore the theme of home, community and locality in the words of locals from the areas where homes are being bought back.
Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch with Living Lab Northern Rivers at [email protected].
Digital archive
Living Memory will showcase the final series of oral histories and portraits at an event in Lismore in 2025 but they will also be accessible for long-term future reference, along with a collection of historical materials and artefacts.
Together they will form a record of a North Lismore, it’s place and people, at a particular time.
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