New visitor centre can inform locals too

THE newly recreated Lismore Visitor Information Centre offers an enduring snapshot of the people, history, and natural beauty of the Rainbow Region.

VISITORS to the newly recreated Lismore Visitor Information Centre will find an enduring snapshot of the people, history, and natural beauty of the Rainbow Region.

The redesigned centre, launched today by Lismore mayor Jenny Dowell, features more than 15 richly illustrated panels covering the major elements of the region's social history, Aboriginal heritage, and wilderness.

The $120,000 reconstruction took two years and involved more than 50 community members, including local Aboriginal elders who spent hundreds of hours building a unique portrait of the Aboriginal community.

The popular rainforest walk mural has been repainted by artist Burri Jerome, and a gallery at the rear of the centre features works by well-known Aboriginal painter Digby Moran.

The social history exhibit boasts panels on Lismore over the last century and a half from a dairy and logging centre to education and health hub - all the while both sports mad and art friendly - and the alternative touchpoints of the 1970s, the Aquarius Festival and Terania Creek blockade.

Lismore tourism coordinator Mitch Lowe said the new centre was aimed at inspiring both locals and visitors to explore the region further.