The disastrous floods that impacted the Northern Rivers region of NSW at the end of February and beginning of March have seen Matt George, owner of Lismore’s Summit Health and Fitness, step in to help drive the recovery of his community.
While his gym, located east of Lismore in Goonellabah, was not impacted by the floods, George opened the facility on Monday 28th February and Tuesday 1st March as an emergency shelter and evacuation centre for flood-impacted residents with over 70 individuals and families making use of the gym’s floor space.
Immediately after that, with almost all of Lismore’s supermarkets and food retailers out of operation, he converted the gym’s space to a foodbank.
As George notes “before the emergency services and bureaucracy kicked in we were able to help those who’d been affected by floods and needed food, water, medical supplies and more.
“Drawing the community together, we were just locals getting stuff done.”
However, with Goonellabah located 10 minutes’ drive east of Lismore and away from the worst of the flood damage, George soon realised that with people unable to purchase fuel to make the journey to the foodbank, the facility would have to relocate.
As a result, he teamed with Karen Willott, owner of a used furniture warehouse in Lismore (from which she lost everything in the floods, including her income source), to create a larger distribution centre for resources.
The warehouse at 51 Wyrallah Road, Lismore is now distributing huge quantities of food, water, medical supplies to those in need, supported by generous donations from the community and across the country.
In particular, they have been accepting donations of non-perishable food, toiletries, cleaning products and medical supplies that are then made available for free to those who need it.
As George is pleased to note “we have trucks, semi-trailers rolling in with resources … with resources coming in and goods are flying out the door at a similar rate.
“We’ve even helped support some of the military now on the ground”
Amid all this Summit Health and Fitness will reopen as of today (Monday 14th March), returning to normal business operations including group fitness classes, personal training, EMS and swim lessons and squads.
Again extending his generosity, George advises “we understand that the community has suffered greatly in the last two weeks and if required, we will timestop or cancel any memberships with no fees.”
He adds “Summit plays a vital role in looking after people’s mental and physical well-being (and we) recognise that these are uncertain times are not the time to be locked in to any membership.”
George, who will continue his free foodbank in the Lismore CBD, as well as operating his Summit Health and Fitness, concludes "this is a huge community effort now. It's much bigger than Summit staff and members or any individual.
"We will get through this together."
Images: Matt George [right] with volunteers at the Lismore foodbank (top), Matt George with Karen Willott at the facility (middle) and George’s Summit Health and Fitness will reopen today (below).
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well, until February 2025 when she left us, caring a little pug named Stella.
Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.
Read more from this author
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