‘Another step towards normal’: Lismore Officeworks reopens

The Northern Rivers largest office supply chain store is reopening today in Lismore, with eight more staff to boot. See the battle which has been going on behind closed doors.

The Northern Rivers largest office supply store is reopening in Lismore today much to the anticipated delight of businesses, schools, and the new breed of work-from-homers.

Blackwater inundation took its toll on the only Officeworks in the entire region, which required a complete strip out, deep clean and new fit-out.

Officeworks Lismore store business manager Peter Walden said it’s a step toward ‘getting back to normal’.

“We’ve had several of our team directly affected by the flood that have lost everything,” Mr Walden said.

Displaced staff have been deployed to the Gold Coast Officeworks, to assist the support centre in Sydney working remotely, and also within the community, volunteering.

Officeworks Lismore staff placing the final touches as the newly rebuilt store reopens after catastrophic floods in February.

Jodi’s story

Officeworks team member Jodi Lowe told the Northern Star that although she fared okay in the floods, her mum’s home went under, losing everything she owned, including family photos.

“Not knowing if they were okay at the time was the hardest,” Ms Lowe said, “not knowing whether your family, and your friends are safe, were alive even.

“You just didn’t know what to expect. I worked through all the emotions I possibly could, and just had to wait on the phone for a response and hope for the best.”

Being cut off from town, Ms Lowe couldn’t get to see her family straight away and was relying on other family for a temporary solution.

Jodi Rowe, of Lismore, is grateful to be back on deck as Officeworks reopens six months after catastrophic floods in February.

“From day dot, as soon as it all happened I had nine people show up at my mum’s house to help.

“It just shows how much of a community we really are and we help each other no matter what.”

Being unaffected directly by the floodwaters, Ms Lowe took in her mum, her brother and sister, their two cats and two dogs.

Ms Lowe said accommodating so many and pets was a challenge but they made it work.

“We restructured the house so basically everyone had their own space,” she said.

Ms Lowe said it’s one thing being crammed in all together - but at the same time you need your own space.

“For them, even though they have lost so much ... it’s all they have left – it’s a piece of them, and they wanted to go back (to their home).

“It’s what they have to hold on to, to try and get through.”

Now it’s a waiting game, for more help and tradespeople to affect repairs.

“There is hope,” Ms Lowe said, “but it’s going to be a long road ahead.”

The importance of support

The Lismore local said her work team support network is more important than anything.

“You can get stuck in your own head and I think having people that surround you, love you and support you … is the number one thing for me to get through.

“As I am sure it would for many people. You can’t do it all on your own.”

Since the flood, Ms Lowe has been involved in volunteer work assisting Threads Together.

She was redeployed to support the new Officeworks Robina store set-up, and also worked with the customer support centre.

“The Officeworks team are all excited to be back and together again,” Ms Lowe said.

Officeworks Lismore staff making the final touches as the newly rebuilt store reopens after catastrophic floods in February.

Giving something back

The national chain, together with its customers, has donated much-needed funds and supplies to local organisations and community hubs, including:

• Providing $30,000 to the South Lismore Public School to rebuild school supplies via GIVIT Flood Relief

• Gifting $10,000 worth of books to the Lismore Library via GIVIT Flood Relief

• Donating $2000 in cash and gift cards to the Lismore First Steps Early Learning Centre; and

• Together with partners 123Read2ME, it is estimated that 25,000 books have been sent to Lismore and other flood affected areas through the book collection initiative offered through select Officeworks stores in Victoria and South Australia.

The new Lismore store has refreshed branding, product ranges, tech desks, sustainability features and helpful services such as Print & Copy and Geeks2U.

Officeworks Lismore will be open for business from August 24.