Strengthening Community Support with Quota International of Lismore

Quota International of Lismore’s Women’s Friendship Lunch

In March 2025, our CEO, Kaali Ortmann, was honoured to speak at the Quota International of Lismore Women’s Friendship Lunch.

The Quota network, with clubs across fourteen countries, is known worldwide for their service to people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or speech-impaired, as well as disadvantaged women and children. Quota members share a strong commitment to giving back and encouraging others, which Family Support Network Inc. (FSN) experienced first-hand in the aftermath of the catastrophic 2022 flood event.

A Lifeline of Local Support

When the devastating floods of 2022 left FSN without a premises and without the heart to ask our community for help, Quota stepped in. Their generosity saved our Christmas Appeal that same year. Since then, their support has grown year on year — in 2023, in 2024, and most recently in 2025 with the donation of Back-to-School Packs for our families, in addition to the Christmas Appeal.

As Kaali highlighted in her speech at the Women’s Friendship Lunch, funding is the glue that keeps our doors open, but it is community support that fuels innovation. It allows us to go beyond survival — to find new ways of working, to strengthen families, and to respond to the complex challenges that children and parents face every day.

Why Community Support Matters

The challenges are significant. The Australian Child Maltreatment Study (2023) revealed that nearly one in three Australian children experiences physical abuse, and almost four in ten are exposed to domestic violence. These experiences have lifelong impacts, increasing risks of mental illness, trauma, and disadvantage.

The National Trends in Child Development data also show a persistent gap in early childhood outcomes. In our own region, 15% of Lismore children are vulnerable on two or more developmental domains — and that figure climbs to 20–22% in Kyogle and Richmond Valley, more than double the national average.

At the same time, the rising cost of living is hitting families hard. The 2024 NCOSS Cost of Living report found that 74% of NSW households had sacrificed spending on their children, while half had cut back on health and wellbeing essentials. Shockingly, one in five households is delaying early childhood education — decisions no family should ever be forced to make.

Our work is grounded in children’s rights and the belief that every child deserves to grow up in a safe, supportive environment. By partnering with organisations like Quota, we can continue to deliver practical support and create opportunities that make a lasting difference.

A Call to Action

Quota has been supporting FSN for nearly a decade. Their ongoing commitment is proof of what’s possible when community organisations work together.

We are always looking for people to join our cause — whether through donations, volunteering time, or sharing skills and expertise. Every contribution, big or small, strengthens our ability to empower families and connect communities across the Northern Rivers.

Together, with the support of groups like Quota and individuals across our region, we can ensure that children and families not only survive but truly thrive.

Visit the Get Involved section of our website to find out about our Christmas Appeal and how you can support Family Support Network Inc.