On Wednesday 8 July 2026, Yellow proudly co-hosted a screening of Floodland alongside the Benarrawa Community Development Association, welcoming around 40 colleagues and partners from across the disaster management sector to Graceville State School.
Directed by Jordan Giusti, Floodland is a compelling and deeply moving documentary that tells the story of the devastating 2022 floods in Lismore. Through the experiences of three local residents, the film explores the profound psychosocial impacts of disaster, the strength of community resilience and the realities of adapting to a changing climate. Winner of the Sydney Film Festival’s 2025 Sustainability Award, Floodland highlights the critical importance of supporting communities as they recover from climate-related disasters and demonstrates the power of community-led approaches to healing and recovery.
Recognising the relevance of these themes to the disaster management sector, Yellow was proud to bring this important story to our network. The evening commenced with a thoughtful and heartfelt Welcome to Country by Uncle Steve Coghill Senior, Yagara Elder, setting the tone for an evening of reflection, learning and connection.
Audience members were captivated by the stories of Harper, Eli and Carlie, whose personal experiences brought the impacts of the floods to life.
Harper inspired attendees with his commitment to being a strong voice for his community, advocating for meaningful change and ensuring local experiences are acknowledged and understood. Eli shared the immense challenges he and his family faced during and following the floods, describing not only the damage to his property but the life-changing decisions required to rebuild and create a new future. Dr. Carlie Atkinson, a Bundjalung-Yiman woman, spoke passionately about her vision for the local First Nations healing centre to support community members navigating the ongoing impacts of trauma and recovery.
A particularly powerful aspect of the documentary is its recognition of First Nations peoples, honouring their enduring connection to Country and the wisdom gained through generations of living with and understanding the natural environment. This perspective added depth and significance to the stories shared throughout the film.
The documentary left a lasting impression on the audience, prompting important conversations about the continuing impacts of the Lismore floods, the complexity of long-term recovery and the journey communities continue to navigate years after a disaster has occurred.
The event also provided a valuable opportunity for practitioners to connect, share experiences and learn more about the outstanding work being undertaken by Benarrawa.
Following the screening, attendees enjoyed a 30-minute panel discussion facilitated by Yellow’s Director of Prepared Communities, Jo Killick GAICD. Panel members included Sandiellen Black, Community Development Practitioner with Benarrawa; Sally Foreman, Senior Project Officer with Neighbourhood Centres Queensland; Mark Henderson from the Oxley Creek Flood Action Group; and Yellow Managing Director, Ben Norling.
The discussion explored community-led resilience in the context of when future flooding will occur, not if. Panellists highlighted the importance of strengthening connections at the neighbourhood level, supporting grassroots community organisations and empowering local communities to lead preparedness and recovery efforts. There was also acknowledgment in the room that a better understanding disaster risks and connection to formal disaster and emergency management systems would be beneficial for community and neighbourhood groups in their readiness and resilience planning.
Floodland is now available to stream online and please get in touch if you’re interested in hosting a Floodland screening for your community or organisation, would like to learn about upcoming events, or want to share local initiatives and community projects that we could support.
