Community Wishes

Fairy tale Wishing Wells decorated by community groups representing their dreams and visions........ 

 About the project:

Vistara Primary School, 2005 Photo: Graeme Batterbury

A major aim of the Lismore Lantern Parade is to foster ongoing and supportive relationships between the community and the business sector. In 2001, the Business and Community Partnership program began with the aim of providing opportunities for people to celebrate, have fun and express themselves in a creative way whilst raising the profile of local charities and community organisations. 

The themes for the lanterns are linked to the overall festival theme. In 2008 the Community Partnerships have become a popular tradition in the Lismore Lantern Parade with community organisations looking forward to the project and the parade, as early as January. The Sponsorship of the lanterns is a vital fundraiser for the Lantern Parade, with fees going towards paying for lantern materials and production elements of the event.

R.E.D. Inc, 2004 Photo: Graeme Batterbury

In 2008 LightnUp is constructing wonderful Wishing Wells, lit with numerous 12v lights. Each wishing well is decorated and carried in the parade by six people. These people can come from the community group and / or sponsor organisation.

A placard bearing the name of the Sponsor and the Sponsored Group is carried in front of the Lantern. The Wishing Wells are acknowledged in the media, the Parade Website, the Parade Launch and in the event program.

• Other lantern designs are available by negotiation, costs may be greater.
• The Lantern will be available for the Organisation and Sponsor's use for 12 months
• There are only SIX Wishing Wells this year - so book yours soon.
• The Wishing Wells cost $350.00 inc gst
• Wishing Wells can be booked through the LightnUp Inc Workshop - call 02 66226333

In 2007 we had the Dreamboats:

The following organisations carried Community Lanterns,  "The Dreamboats" in the 2007 Lismore Lantern Parade

• U3A – University of the Third Age – an Egyption Theme -the story of Joseph's Dream
• The International Rainbow Club – Lismore Multicultural group, sponsored by Lismore Neighborhood Centre, it uses imagery from journey stories from the Sudan, Nigeria, Germany, the Philippines and Japan.
• R.E.D Inc – working with young people with developmental disabilities in transition to work. RED Incs lantern making project was funded by Regional Arts NSW Counctry arts Support Scheme (CASP) and their boat is sponsored by the Northern Star Newspaper
• The Lismore and District Women’s Health Centre – dreams for women - the Sacred, Respect, Honour.
• Northern Rivers Living Libraries Project - places representatives of a diversity of minority groups with communities around the the region to foster greater understanding and cultural awareness, their boat will express the diversity of community in the Northen Rivers Region.
• Lismore Toy Library - the magic and imagination of children's play
• Lismore Lions - Celebrate 60yrs carrying the magnificent "Gumnut'. Lismore was the first Lions Club established in Australia. 
• Lismore Guides – carry the Owl and the Pussycat story boat - aah.
• Lismore Climate Change Group - dream of a world that takes care of the planet...
• Rainbow Ridge Steiner School - dream of a Noah's ark of diversity in the natural world.

Other Community Lanterns commissioned for the 2007 Lismore Lantern Parade

• Nimbin Central Shool, the P&C and 11 local businesses joined together to create Nimbin's first lantern for the parade - Over the Rainbow
• Lismore Challenge – LightnUp artist Ceel Eleseworthy has created a little swarm of Bees to go with last year's daisy chain for Challenge carers and clients to decorate.
• The Men's Mobile Shed - a glorious truck representing the Men's Shed.B
• Northern River's Community Transport - a vital service the Northern Rivers community - the Lantern Bus celebrates getting from A-B

 The 2006 Community Lanterns participating in Re-enchanting the dream..   2007

• Migaloo the great white whale - created by Kristian Baggersen for Southern Cross University
• TOOT (Trains on our tracks) - Northern Rivers Trains for our future campaigning for a Light Rail service for the Northern Rivers. Sponsored by Lismore City Council and created by LightnUp artist Brett Hayden.
• Lismore Challenge - artist Nola Littlejohn, clients and carers created the Daisy Chain
• Lismore Preschool, Brewster Street, commissioned Brewce, created by LightnUp artist Bec Massy
• Potter's House Christian Church - members of the church created a lighthouse representing the gospel message of Jesus as the light of the world.