Janelle Saffin MP, member for Lismore, cuts the ribbon.
After being closed since February last year due to severe flood incursion, our community hub in Lismore has finally reopened its doors.
Located at 76 Carrington Street, the community hub has undergone significant renovations and upgrades to repair extensive flood damage, provide a better experience for community members, and to safeguard against future flooding.
It is a vital resource for vulnerable people in Lismore and Northern NSW, providing essential support services, programs and activities for disadvantaged people of all ages and backgrounds.
Late last week, Janelle Saffin MP, Member for Lismore, formally reopened the centre with a gathering of our partners and local dignitaries. Attendees enjoyed a First Nations welcome to country, smoking ceremony, traditional dance, ribbon-cutting and plenty of social connection.
Community Gateway CEO Jenni Beetson-Mortimer said:
“We are delighted to reopen the community hub after such a long hiatus, and we are thrilled to finally be moving back into our home on this special day.”
“We had a disaster management plan in place, so when the hub flooded, we were able to relocate to temporary premises in Goonellabah and continue uninterrupted service delivery, at a time when more people than ever were in need of support. Even so, many of our staff experienced significant hardships too, and they have all worked so hard to ensure the most vulnerable people in our communities have been supported through the disaster. We cannot wait to showcase the new facilities and services that we are now able to provide.”
“In particular, the hub is now hosting Lismore’s trusted reproductive and sexual health service, Choices clinic. Choices has many decades of local experience providing specialist health care, and we are proud to include this expertise in our range of support services.”
Here are some photos from the night:
