This podcast was recorded on the country of the Wangal people of the Eora nation. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. As we gather for Law Week may we recognize the law, education and storytelling that has been practiced on these lands for 10s of 1000s of years. Always was, always will be.
This is spotlight, a mini series where we shine a light on some of the best events and activities happening in Law Week 2022. My name is Yasmine and I'm a content creator with Legal Aid New South Wales, one of the partners of Law Week. New South Wales Law Week is an annual festival that is all about creating greater access to justice. This year's Law Week takes place between the 16th and 22nd of May. There are heaps of events happening across the state, online and in person to help you understand your rights, the law, the legal system and the legal profession. You can find out what's on via the events schedule at LawWeeknsw.org.au. Today in the spotlight, we have Richmond Tweed Regional Library. We chat with Michael about their event for Law week and then creative ways of engaging their community through pop up and mobile libraries. Michael, thank you so much for joining me on the podcast today. Could you please introduce yourself and your role?
My name is Michael Lewis and I am from Lismore City Library. So I am currently the acting area librarian for Lismore. And so I look after the Lismore and Goonellabah library.
And could you tell us about some of the services that you provide?
Yeah, sure. So the Lismore library is part of the Richmond Tweed Regional Library. So that has 13 branches open for local government areas. And it's a public service, which strives to create an environment where people can connect, discover and escape with knowledge, skills, ideas and stories. So we do that with up to date collections, programs, tailoring to sort of early childhood all the way through to seniors, and we do this on an ongoing basis.
That sounds wonderful. And this podcast is for Law Week, what activities or events do you have planned for Law Week?
so we also have a mobile library, part of our library service, and it's visiting a suburb of Lismore called Nimbin. And this Thursday, they are hosting the talk navigating the system, which is giving advice about how to navigate government agencies and make complaints and how to access ombudsman services for disputes. And it's a really topical workshop at the moment, because there's a lot of people navigating these systems right now after the 2022 flood.
Yeah, absolutely, especially in that region. So who is that event for? Is it open for everyone?
Yeah, it's an open event and kicks off at two o'clock in the afternoon outside the community center on Collin Street.
And why should someone attend that?
It's a good question. I'd say given his most recent experiences with flooding, there are a lot of things which have been taken out of people's control. And people are navigating these government systems, insurance claims and contractors all amiss their own personal recovery. And events in Law Week I feel can provide an opportunity for people to find the support and answers they need to ensure they aren't taken advantage of. And they're on track for a positive recovery.
Yeah, that's a great summary in a really timely event that sounds like everyone should should definitely check out what's one thing that people may not know about your service or something that you provide?
Yeah, I think a big one would be because our library was flooded, as well as everywhere else. And so we've kind of created a pop up library space in the Goonellabah industrial estate, so Goonellabah is a suburb nearby. And there's a little library there, which has new collections of books that have been donated by our community. And there's also access to public computers, supportive staff and accessible parking. So I'd really like to get out that that space is there for people just so they know that the library is still here. And we're just just up to up the hill.
That's fantastic. And it sounds like there's a lot of community support that's around that initiative as well. How has recovery been?
Good question, I'd say exhausting, and slow. I think we're about two and a half months in. And the whole process is taking time. And I think people have been putting in so much effort over the last couple of months that there is a bit of burnout going on. But there's also this real drive to restore what we had. And so it's just taking every day as it comes.
Yeah, I can imagine it would be a huge emotional toll and physical toll as well.
Yeah, but the community response, not only to the library, but Lismore as a community and the other communities that have been affected by floods has been overwhelming as well love the generosity and the Australian public.
Yeah, that's really great to hear. How can someone find out more about the services that you're providing?
Yeah, sure. So there's a couple of ways you can go to the Richmond trade Regional Library website, which is www.rtrl.nsw.gov.au. The Richmond Tweed Regional library has a Facebook page, which also posts updates and events that are coming up. Or you can give us a ring on 66212464 to have a chat and find out what's happening in our area.
Right, and we will add all those details in the show notes for this episode. And the last question, if you could describe Law Week in one word, what would it be?
I would have to say the word is empowering. I believe there are a few untrained people who completely understand their rights. And this has a significant impact on us every day. I feel having a trained professional share their knowledge freely is one step towards empowering people.
Fantastic. A really great way to end and thank you so much for chatting with me today and all the best for your event for Law Week.
Thanks so much, appreciate it
That's all for spotlight today. Thank you again to Michael and Richmond tweed Regional Library for taking the time to chat to us today. I'd also like to thank Marrickville Legal Center, the State Library of New South Wales' Find Legal Answers and Tenants Union New South Wales for supporting this podcast and Law Week New South Wales. Have a great Law Week.
