Rebuilding Community resilience in Chinderah

IT HAS been almost three years since the devastating 2022 Tweed flood and the recovery has been a long and challenging journey for many residents, particularly those in Chinderah, a community still grappling with the aftermath.

After the initial cleanup and the struggle to find temporary accommodation, many flood-affected residents have continued to face mental health challenges, financial difficulties and feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Seniors and vulnerable residents, including those in the permanent caravan parks, have been particularly impacted by these ongoing struggles.

Recognising these struggles, the Rotary Club of Banora Tweed, in partnership with Anglicare and The Chinderah Hub, has stepped up to help rebuild the social fabric of the community.

In July 2024, the three organisations launched two new initiatives: “Lunch Ladies” and “Breakfast Brothers”, designed to help local men and women reconnect, build relationships, and combat isolation.

Rotary Club of Banora Tweed member David Stubbin kindly updated The Weekly on the initiative.

“These casual events, held at the Chinderah Scout Hall, offer free breakfast and lunch to attendees, providing an opportunity for friendly conversation and the creation of new social networks,” he said.

“The program has been especially impactful for individuals like Lyn, a widow with no family nearby.

“She shared how difficult it was for her to make connections before attending the Ladies Lunches.”

“The Ladies Lunches have had a massive impact on my social life,” Lyn said.

“I look forward to it every fortnight and have met some lovely ladies who are now my friends.

“I particularly enjoyed celebrating Melbourne Cup and Christmas with everyone.”

Both the Ladies Lunches and Breakfast Brothers aim to provide a regular, informal space for people to gather and support each other, helping to restore a sense of community that had been disrupted by the floods.

Ladies Lunches will resume on the first Tuesday of February at 11am at the Chinderah Scout Hall, continuing every first and third Tuesday thereafter.

Breakfast Brothers will start up again on the second and fourth Tuesdays of February at 9am at the same location.

These events are open to all, and everyone is encouraged to attend, meet new people, and form lasting relationships.

In a time when rebuilding isn’t just about homes but also about hearts, “Lunch Ladies” and “Breakfast Brothers” are helping bring the community of Chinderah back together, one conversation at a time.