Lismore Regional Gallery Reopens After $5.1 Million Restoration

ROBERT HEYWARD

What

‘kind’ of business gives value

Title: Kind Business: Values create Value

Author: Dr David Cooke

Price: $29.95

Publisher: Pegasus By Samantha Elley

When you think of business, do you immediately think of kindness? Or are you more inclined to think of profts at all costs? While that may have been the norm for corporations, Dr David Cooke, in his frst book, shows that it doesn’t have to be.

He outlines some of the mistake’s businesses have made when it comes to looking after, not just the customer, but their staff, the community, both local and surrounding, and the environment. When short-term returns are the focus, it can, more often than not, endanger long-term sustainability.

Lismore Regional Gallery has reopened its doors following a comprehensive $5.1 million restoration, marking a signifcant recovery milestone for the community after the devastating 2022 foods. The project, funded by both the Albanese and Minns Governments, restored the gallery’s fve exhibition spaces and enhanced the surrounding Quad area, reconnecting it with the Lismore Library and Northern Rivers Conservatorium. The upgrades include improved landscaping, soil drainage, new pathways, and community seating, designed to make the area more resilient to future weather events. Funded by Disaster

Recovery Programs

The restoration was made possible through the Create NSW Community Local Infrastructure Recovery Packages, part of the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). These funds were allocated to repair the extensive food damage suffered by both the gallery’s building and its art collections. In addition to the necessary repairs, the project focused on futureproofng the gallery to ensure it can better withstand environmental challenges in the years to come.

A Boost for Lismore’s Cultural Recovery Government offcials have hailed the gallery’s reopening as a vital step in Lismore’s recovery process:

• Tony Sheldon, Special Envoy for

Disaster Recovery, highlighted the government’s continued support for Lismore and the Northern Rivers region, acknowledging the gallery’s importance as a cultural hub.

• Tara Moriarty, Minister for Regional NSW, described the reopening as a crucial step in the city’s social and cultural restoration, emphasizing the importance of resilient community spaces.

• John Graham, Minister for the Arts, celebrated the gallery’s return and commended the community’s commitment to preserving and fostering the arts, despite the challenges posed by the foods.

Renewed Energy for Lismore’s CBD

Local leaders, including Janelle Saffn, NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery, emphasized the gallery’s pivotal role in revitalizing Lismore’s CBD. The gallery’s reopening joins other key landmarks like the Lismore Workers Club and the Uniting Church, which have also reopened, signalling the city’s ongoing recovery. Before the foods, Lismore Regional Gallery attracted 150,000 visitors annually, and it is expected to continue as a vital cultural destination, showcasing local talent, hosting touring exhibitions, and providing a rejuvenated space for arts engagement. This reopening is a key boost for both the community and regional tourism, reinforcing Lismore’s place as a hub for arts and culture in Northern NSW.