Try a little Kindness: Winsome Hotel Lismore

I love old buildings and history and this building, although not as old as others certainly has some history. What I like about it though is also what it is now and what it does for the community. The Winsome Hotel will always have a soft spot set aside for it in my heart.

I went back last week as I heard they were able to let people inside again. This was still limited due to other COVID-19 restrictions so I couldn’t get all the photos I wanted. Some of the ones I was able to take where never as satisfying as the ones I had been able to take in the past or again in the future. Unsure of how long this will go on for I’ve decided to publish my post anyway. If I get the photos I want again I will update.

It’s hard to summarise all the greatness I think the Winsome does for the community in the briefness that’s a blog post requires but I will have a go. Among many other functions and support it’s a Soup Kitchen and when available is also able to support medium term accommodation in an attempt to combat homelessness. Ugh even those short sentences don’t do it justice. Have a look at this video while I try to even explain how much this place and the people supporting it have done for the community.

I'm told the food is now free. No donation requested from the down and out. People are also offered goodies to take home. Once it closes for the day people will still need to eat later. Can you imagine what that must be like, to have to take food away with you because you might not be able to eat later if you don’t?

Once upon a time in 2009 I met an old aboriginal gentleman, uncle Trev at the former location. Looking back I’m sure it’s because he accused me of being an undercover cop. He was suspicious of me so sat with me. I let him know I wasn’t but I still loved the mistake. See back then they were using this old tin shed near NORCO that’s been levelled flat. He urged me to come see the musicians play on a Sunday during their church service, so I did and I tell you what I have been SUNG by the place ever since. So there I was I went down that day. Difficult, I was a new face. Coffee at the time was that catering blend, milk the mixed up powdered type. The shed itself hot as hell. Locals called the back yard “tent city”. Desperate, those that had not been sleeping under the bridge or other places away from public eye had set up tent in the backyard. Down and out and under hardships there was the occasional brawl. Volunteers were still beaming their welcome strong and hard. I just wanted to slip in unnoticed.

Perhaps there was more to why I felt so much that day. I am not sure but it was during the announcements that someone stood up and told their story about living on the streets that I sat there and cried my eyes out. Embarrassed because it took so much to bring myself to be there that day but here they were every day. Also worse I think he was also trying to let us know about donating scarves and beanies or something like that and I was stuck on his story. Whenever I think back to my attachment to the Winsome, despite many other hours I sat there with Trev I know that this is where it all began.

I haven't got the current information confirmed but certainly for many years even the fish tank was supported and well maintained for by a local business.

It was with great wonder and amazement (and congratulations) that they were then able to purchase the Winsome Hotel (that’s another story). The building so beautiful and stunning was made as cozy as possible and it is definite that supports and services continued to grow and extend from there.

Every element of the building is used and kept beautiful. Volunteers are everywhere. Working hard to make it all happen

In the more current day sense, COVID19 restrictions did limit and modify how they could provide support but it never ended. Food quality served on site is high, as they intended it to be. There is still strong support from volunteers and local services in this place. All doing it for community and not their own image. You would be surprised just how much The community is silently involved and how much particular work is volunteered to support people both on and off site.

There is nothing but love here.

My favourite part in the whole building is the bar. I love who designed it and I love sitting there. It’s beautiful. When I sit there I just want to touch it. You have no idea how in love with those stones I am. The bar does not sell alcohol and likely will not again. These days, when open the bar instead serves as a cafe. Baristas are trained to serve you well in the cafe functions. Unlike the other many functions at the Winsome the cafe is not free and it serves the public with volunteer staff (Like the rest of the Winsome). All proceeds go back in to keeping the Winsome running. If you buy a coffee here at the cafe the money stays right here and goes straight back in to the community.

Trev and the Winsome taught me a lot about people and being there among everyone else that is equal with us. I was taught about community in ways I didn’t learn from books or from a clinical or document driven approach. I could sit with discomfort that people often would look away from or worse stigmatise or speak badly about and recognise the good that they did for themselves and each other. I cared about what happened to the people there and it’s visitors and residents were good to me. There was so much love and kindness there and omg so much music, art and generosity

We sat with people and enjoyed their company. We heard stories and told stories. Trevor preferred cake and coffee. He didn’t eat food unless it was dessert because he said he was on a diet. Those of us who knew him closely also knew he was diabetic. The guy was serious, forthright and funny as heck. God I miss him.

If you can, try a little kindness too! Pop down and visit to support the cafe as a member of the community or if you need help come over and seek a service or support, if needed. If you prefer to make an even bigger difference and donate or volunteer contact them direct on their website

More info can be found at their website at https://www.winsome.org.au

RIP Uncle Trev 2014

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

I miss you so much