A few weeks ago, a family member (Karran) sent me a simple message: “demolition has begun”. I was in town at the time and went by for a look. The news the demolition had begun at South Lismore Public School (SLPS) hit me hard.
And just like that: the place where I started my education—the school that has been a constant for my family for three generations—was being torn down.
This isn’t the first time SLPS had to be rebuilt.
From 1971 to 1977, I was a student there, and for much of that time, the school was a noisy construction site. The “new” brick buildings, opened in 1978, were a response to the 1974 flood. I’ll never forget the constant thud of the pile drivers as the new school was built. The older wooden buildings were, for the most part, replaced with modern brick buildings. AND carpet on the floor!!!!
The 2022 catastrophic flood in Lismore was a different beast entirely. It was an unprecedented disaster that caused terrible damage, entering the buildings that were deemed to be “flood proof”. I heard the word “unsalvageable” was used by authorities.
The truth is, the old buildings, many of them built to last since the last flood, simply couldn’t withstand the force of this one.
It was heartbreaking to see a place that holds so many memories for my family so badly damaged.
My 50-year old niece has been sending me photos of the site over the last few weeks, each one a stark reminder of the devastating 2022 floods and a visible symbol of the end of an era.
My niece’s mother went to the school, my niece’s daughters are currently students, and all of them have a connection to the buildings that are now being torn down.
But amidst the sadness and the loss, there’s a new feeling emerging: optimism. Just as the pile drivers of my childhood were a sign of progress, the demolition today is clearing the way for a fresh start. This is a chance to build a school that is not only modern and full of new possibilities but also one that is resilient and better equipped to handle future challenges.
While it’s difficult to say goodbye to the old buildings, there’s a real sense of excitement about what’s to come. For the students, staff, and parents who have been through so much, this is a positive step forward. The school is entering a new era, and though it will look different, its spirit will remain the same, I’m sure. Maybe even stronger, given everything they’ve been through?
