The History of Humans of Lismore
Over the past 10 years I have had the privilege of interviewing some of the amazing people living in Lismore and surrounding areas and publishing their stories to the Humans of Lismore Facebook page. These stories have been collated into this website and also the “Humans of Lismore” book.
Creating HOL has been a labour of love, and I consider it a privilege to have the opportunity to share your stories.
Grab your copy now before they sell out!
I’ve always loved Photography.
Even as a child way before I got my first camera I would take pretend photos with my eye. Driving along in the back seat of my parents car, framing the scenery or people in the street click, click, click. I still do it to this day when I don’t have a camera in my hand. I had dark rooms most of my life and worked as Photographer for many years photographing weddings, bands, model portfolios and portraits. I loved street photography and people and I’ve always loved hearing people’s stories.
I was sitting in a trendy Byron cafe one day and overheard the table next to me discussing Lismore. Who would want to live there? I won’t go into detail but by the end of that conversation I was angry. It was almost like someone bullying your best friend. I had been following Humans of New York and loved reading the stories of everyday people. I came home that day and thought, I’ll show them how amazing the people of Lismore and the Northern Rivers are.
I grabbed my camera, went down town, and found the courage to approach a beautiful young woman named Katie selling daffodils for cancer research. I asked her if I could take her photo and have a little chat. We both ended up in tears and after a hug, I came home uploaded her photo and Humans of Lismore was born.
I was surprised how many people liked it and it took off. That was August 2014 so this book is a result of almost 10 years work. I’ve walked many kilometres, driven all over the North Coast, stopped thousands of people in the street and I’ve loved every minute of it. During those years I have also been employed so most of these stories were done on weekends and after hours.
I grew up on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and moved to the North Coast in 1994. I bought my old house in Lismore in 2001. The moment I arrived here I felt like I had come home. Strange for someone who said she’d never live away from the beach. My father grew up in Lismore and left here when he was 19. I have photographs of him as little tacker sitting on the now Conservatorium steps in his school photo. He died when I was 17 but maybe thats why it feels like home. Lismore is such a diverse, creative town. It’s people look out for one another.
Home sweet home
There is a sense of acceptance no matter what you wear and a community that shows a genuine love and compassion for each other. Buskers have thanked me because now people know their names and stop to throw some money in the case and have a chat. I hear so many of you are inspired by other’s stories, that people you walk past every day now have a name and a story. Some stories have made you feel like your life is not so bad, some stories have started your day with a good belly laugh, while other stories have brought you to tears. Humans of Lismore brings connection and we all need a community we can feel connected to.
Thank you to all who follow my page, for your beautiful comments and for donating to people who have needed our help. Thank you so much to each and every one of you who have bared your soul, shared your lives, for letting me take your photo and sharing deeply personal stories with me and
our community. Without you Humans of Lismore – HOL – would not exist and neither would this book.
I am very grateful to all of you.
DENISE ALISON
Latest Humans
JENNY DOWELL
This morning Jenny came to visit me. We’d organised a catch up morning tea. There was no intention to do
LACEY GARRED
Lacey – “ I was seven when I first donated my hair. I must have seen something on TV about
SUSAN DASYA
“I was born on a houseboat near the Spit Bridge, Sydney in 1966. My parents had just immigrated to Australia
GERARD DUNLOP
“I was born on the 10th December, 1957 in West Belfast in a place called the Falls Road. I was
JOAN WINTER
I have a Viennese, Jewish father and a Swedish, Australian mother. I was born in Melbourne and my father was
SHELBY DALEY
“Firstly I would like to acknowledge the Widjabul Wia-bal people of the Bundjalung nation where this yarn is taking place.
ALISON CHAMBERLAIN
“I was born in Ashfield in Sydney in August 1934 and My Dad Paul Askew was a Policeman who got
NAOMI MURRAY
“I was born in Greenacre in Sydney and I’m the youngest of 11. There’s six girls and five boys. Our
Tracey Doherty
Tracey Doherty (Part 1/2) – “I’m a January 1979 baby, born and bred in Lismore. I always joke that I’m
Finn Andrews
Finn Andrews – “I was born 2 October 2002 in Wollongong. I’ll be 23 this year. We moved up here
Kylie Caldwell
I was born in Casino and lived there until I was about nine. In between those years Mum travelled with
Anna Ludvik – continued (Part 2/2)
“ We understand the horrible impact of domestic and family violence but sometimes we forget the importance of joy for