Lismore, New South Wales

June 2023

In June 2023, Rural Aid volunteers travelled to Lismore in Northern New South Wales to support farming families still recovering from the catastrophic floods that devastated the region in 2022. Triggered by record-breaking rainfall across the Wilsons River catchment, the floodwaters rose to unprecedented levels, peaking at more than 14 metres in Lismore – the highest flood ever recorded in the town’s history. Homes, businesses, farms and critical infrastructure across the Northern Rivers were inundated, with many farming families losing livestock, fencing, machinery, feed supplies and years of hard work in a matter of hours.

During the Farm Recovery Event, 28 volunteers worked alongside six local farming families to help with the enormous clean-up and rebuilding effort still underway many months after the disaster. From repairing fences and clearing debris to helping restore damaged properties, every task completed helped ease the burden on families continuing to navigate the long road to recovery. Beyond the physical work, the event delivered something equally important – connection, encouragement and the reminder that rural communities across Australia stand together during times of hardship.