The Northern New South Wales queer community has long depended on Tropical Fruits Inc, a volunteer-led, not-for-profit organisation established in 1988. For nearly four decades the group has produced events, exhibitions and grassroots gatherings that shaped the cultural life of the Rainbow Region. Today, Tropical Fruits is asking for broader public support: an online fundraiser aims to complete the rebuild of the organisation’s cherished clubhouse, the FruitBowl, and to sustain its day-to-day operations while the venue is restored.
The call for help follows a cascade of challenges. The group was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and only began to regain momentum when the 2026 floods swept through Lismore, damaging the FruitBowl and interrupting community programs. Initial assistance from Create NSW helped start reconstruction, but newly discovered issues have pushed costs and timelines well beyond the original plan. Tropical Fruits now needs donations to finish structural repairs, fit out the space, and support the volunteer teams who keep activities running.
Why the FruitBowl matters to the region
The FruitBowl is more than a meeting point; it functions as a creative and social nucleus where people gather for everything from large-scale parties to small workshops and rehearsals. As a deliberately inclusive venue, the space provides safety and visibility for a wide range of voices within the LGBTQIA+ community. Rebuilding the FruitBowl means restoring a place for performance, visual arts, peer support and cultural exchange — activities that nurture individual artists and strengthen community bonds across Northern NSW.
Damage, discovery and technical hurdles
When repair work moved beyond surface-level fixes, tradespeople identified several major structural problems that increased the scope of the project. The renovation now requires a full replacement of the roof, removal and replacement of compromised timber supports, and a complete redesign of the building’s hydrology to manage future flood exposure. The hydrology work — the study and reconfiguration of water movement around the site — is essential to make the FruitBowl flood resilient, but it also adds complexity and cost. These technical realities have lengthened the rebuild schedule and raised the amount needed from supporters.
What specific repairs are needed
At the heart of the rebuild are three priorities: a new watertight roof, upgraded internal supports to ensure long-term structural integrity, and drainage and site engineering to divert floodwater away from the building footprint. Beyond those engineering tasks, the venue also needs interior fit-out for performance and workshop spaces, compliant accessibility upgrades, and equipment to host events safely. Donations will be used to hire skilled trades, fund materials and cover essential operating costs while volunteer-run programs continue in temporary spaces.
How to support the rebuild and why it matters
Tropical Fruits has launched an online fundraiser inviting contributions from across Australia. Gifts of any size will go directly toward completing the rebuild and helping the organisation maintain its programming during construction. Supporting this campaign is a direct investment in regional queer arts and community infrastructure: donors are helping to secure a physical home where people can create, perform, learn and connect. The effort is also a vote of confidence in the many volunteers who have stewarded the organisation for years.
Beyond the building: a long-term vision
The rebuild is being planned with resilience and adaptability in mind. Tropical Fruits intends the renovated FruitBowl to operate as a multi-use hub for exhibitions, rehearsals, workshops, and community gatherings, equipped to withstand future high-water events. The organisation’s volunteers envisage a venue that not only returns what was lost, but expands opportunities for local artists and audiences. Donating today helps ensure that the FruitBowl continues to host the events and cultural programs that have defined the group’s work since 1988.
To contribute or learn more, visit the organisation’s fundraising page or follow updates on community news outlets that cover LGBTIQA+ stories. Backing this rebuild supports a vital regional institution and helps preserve a space where creativity, inclusion and resilience come together.