This report is written in the form of a yarn, or a conversation, with the aim of creating a more culturally safe space for respectful communication between two people who work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait communities.
At the end of the yarn, when we’d switched off the audio recorder, Lisa said that she had wanted to write a written report (as requested by Greg) but was worried about how to make it sound intelligent. Greg said he was glad that he suggested a yarn instead because it comes from the heart. Later Greg edited this transcript for flow but kept most of the content because it all relates to Nimbin and Aquarius, then he sent it to Lisa for review.
Greg: We should acknowledge that we’re on Bundjalung Country and pay respects to Elders past and present. And that we were on Bundjalung Country as well through Aquarius and that Country brought us together to do things on Country. It’s part of wellbeing and looking after each other, I think. I thank Stuart Barlo and the Gnibi Elders at Southern Cross University for what I understand about yarning.
I’m Greg and I helped organise Aquarius, a little bit paid and a little bit voluntary. I’m a second generation Australian of German descent. I met you from, first, chatting to Nat at the Neighbourhood Centre because I was wanting to have a conversation about mental health and well-being leading into the Aquarius Festival after chatting about it with Rhoda Roberts and Gilbert Laurie. Then Nat directed me towards Darren at the Aged Care Centre who put me in touch with you because he was the point of call for your monthly outreach to Nimbin. And that’s how I met you.
Lisa: I’m Lisa and I work at Rekindling the Spirit health service. I’ve been there for about five and a half years. I’m a registered nurse with mostly a cardiac nursing background in hospitals but came to work at Rekindling the Spirit by chance actually; I was asked to do a few days there a few years ago and I haven’t left.
I grew up in Lismore, five generations of Northern Rivers background so I’m well embedded in this community. I grew up in and amongst the Aboriginal community. I’m non-Indigenous myself but I feel like I am part of the mob because I grew up with the mob.
I was involved in taking the Rekindling banner and service out to the Aquarius Festival as asked by Greg. We weren’t out every day, but we were there as much as we could be. It was fantastic. I was there on the acknowledgement day, the very first day, when Gilbert spoke.
I brought along Dr Andrew Binns, who’s been a very long-serving GP in this community. He actually started Jullums (the Lismore office of Rekindling the Spirit) many years ago when it was Gurgun Bulahnggelah. I brought a few other staff from Rekindling the Spirit as well.
We set up a marquee in the park. We’ve been setting up our marquee there for a while now, so everyone knows us. We’ve got our Rekindling the Spirit banner and we set up chairs to create a chill out zone for people to come and mingle. We had water and fruit, which often gets people over to say hello. It’s about building relationships with the community.
There was talk that maybe we were a Christian group, but that soon got hit on the head because of the comments on the Nimbin Hook Ups Facebook page which advertised us. Someone commented “not another Christian group, pack up and take yourselves home and never come back.” But we got really good feedback from that. It all worked in our favour because we ended up with so much good advertising. The person who wrote it made the last comment, something like, “I should have just kept my mouth shut.” It was actually funny.
We enjoyed it and I think people get to know us more by being out there. We didn’t get to see everything the festival had to offer, but what we did see was fantastic. Engaging local community, the Aboriginal community, tourists. Very well organised, typical Nimbin style — laid back, joyful, casual and colourful.
Greg: When I met you, you were looking for a clinic space in Nimbin and doing outreach once a month. Now you’re out there fortnightly. Did any of that transpire through Aquarius?
Lisa: It all rolls into one. We’ve been going out there for the last twelve months, setting up in the park, getting to know everybody. We’ve been trying to get a room and the community section of the hospital came up with one. They’ve given us the room on the end of the building and our patients can access it from a side door. It’s important to see our banner, our Rekindling the Spirit flag. I may still set up in the park with a marquee and a casual space and go from there.
Greg: So you have a yarn in the park and if someone needs clinical service you can send them down there.
Lisa: Yeah.
Greg: Rekindling the Spirit provides mental health and other services too?
Lisa: Yes. Every second Thursday in Nimbin is more clinical. At 25 Uralba Street in Lismore there’s counselling space, women’s groups, men’s groups and youth groups. We’ve got a youth group going out to Nimbin too. They’re coming on Tuesdays but we’re going to try to align them with Thursdays so we’re a greater presence and can build from there.
Greg: Did you connect with the Cultural Centre in Nimbin?
Lisa: Yes, we connected with Mahlie and he was happy for us to have a clinic space there.
Greg: Were there connections through Aquarius that made it worthwhile?
Lisa: Absolutely. Connecting with you for a start. Look at us now, sitting in the park having a debrief. Community leaders, Black Diamond from the Tent Embassy, the Nimbin Chamber of Commerce. And the general community — so many people were happy to see our faces on acknowledgement day. “Thank you for coming.” That warms our hearts. It makes you realise what we’re doing is valuable.
Greg: Being grassroots in community has been a big learning experience for me. Every time we met in the park before the festival, someone serendipitously arrived — like Genevieve the Nurse Practitioner.
Lisa: Yes, I met Genevieve. She’s now retired but has so much knowledge to share. That happens every time we sit in the park.
Greg: And when Steve Didge came and sang?
Lisa: That day was a highlight.
Greg: Should we wrap up with a check out?
Lisa: I feel fantastic. The festival had beautiful spirit and weather. Everything ran smoothly. There was always something to see and do. People came from Brisbane and stayed after MardiGrass. It was a good cultural connection, laid back and casual.
Remember those meetings beforehand when we thought nothing was organised and we only had six weeks? It all came together like Nimbin does.
Greg: It did. I’m grateful you were there creating space around wellbeing.
Lisa: If it happens again, I’ll come every day. Presence matters. Natalie from the Neighbourhood Centre is very welcoming of Rekindling the Spirit.
Greg: I held an Aquarius archiving space at the Community Centre. It was a quiet, contemplative space where people shared stories. It felt daunting beforehand, but nothing went wrong.
Lisa: Steve Didge said festivals need to be in town, on the main street. That’s where it all happens. I loved the global café tent. I brought my kids on Mother’s Day. They loved seeing Philippe Petit perform near the hospital. They already knew him from TikTok. It was understated — no fanfare — just him sitting in the park. Very Nimbin.
Greg: Shall we wrap it up?
Lisa: Yes.
Greg: Thank you Lisa.
Lisa: Thanks Greg.