HammondCare’s Northern Rivers HQ opens
Dementia care specialists HammondCare has opened the doors of its new home care regional headquarters this week.
Dementia care specialists HammondCare has opened the doors of its new home care regional headquarters this week.
The Northern Rivers HammondCare At Home site at 138 Molesworth Street in Lismore – formerly a National Australia Bank – will house 25 care workers and 12 administrative staff.
Whilst the office formally opened on Tuesday, some staff have been moving in over the last couple of weeks.
The development of HammondCare’s regional headquarters was first announced last June. However, refurbishment of the bank took longer than expected due to high demands for tradies following the floods in February 2022, during which the ground floor of the building became completely submerged.
New South Wales premier Chris Minns joined HammondCare chief executive officer Mike Baird for the offical launch of the office.
“It’s an honour to be at the opening of such an important care provider which will ensure elder members of this community are supported, particularly as Lismore continues to rebuild,” said Mr Minns. “We know there is still a ways to go, but providers like HammondCare play a vital role in supporting the community.”
Mr Baird said: “HammondCare is delighted to be making a contribution to the rebuilding effort and be part of the optimism and vibrancy of Lismore.”
Lismore mayor Steve Krieg also attended the opening ceremony. “I would like to welcome HammondCare to Lismore,” he said. “The opening of its new regional headquarters in Molesworth Street is a vote of confidence in Lismore and its future.”
He added: “It’s also great news for our older community members who can now easily access the quality services provided by HammondCare.”
Among the special guests at the opening was Lismore resident Roger Manby. The 86-year-old was one of 11 HammondCare At Home clients who had their homes inundated by record floodwaters last year.
Mr Manby will finally be able to move back into his home next month after repair works to the walls and floors. He recalled his son waking him at 3am as water began entering the first floor of his home.
“My son warned me this flood was going to be worse than I was expecting, and I better get out of bed now,” Mr Manby said. “So we all hightailed it onto the roof and waited six hours before help arrived.”
HammondCare staff were also impacted by the floods. The HammondCare Foundation – the charity fundraising arm of the organisation – raised $85,000 specifically to help the clients and staff affected.
HammondCare has 360 home care clients in the Northern Rivers region – each offered individually tailored support from care workers so they can live as they want in their own homes.
HammondCare At Home is a fast-growing portfolio for the provider, with 1,500 staff providing care for around 6,500 clients in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, and the Australian Capital Territory.
Main image: HammondCare CEO Mike Baird and NSW premier Chris Minns at the HQ opening
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