Premier of NSW Chris Minns joined HammondCare CEO Mike Baird to formally open HammondCare’s new home care regional headquarters on Molesworth St, Lismore - a bold, bricks-and-mortar commitment to be part of the future of the city.

The Premier and Mr Baird were joined by Minister for the North Coast Rose Jackson, Lismore State MP Jannelle Saffin and Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg, in opening the new office at 138 Molesworth Street.

The new Northern Rivers HammondCare At Home headquarters will be home to 25 care workers and 12 administrative staff. There are 360 clients in the Northern Rivers region.

Premier Minns said "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.

“We know there is still a ways to go, but providers like HammondCare play a vital role in supporting this community.

Mr Baird said the new location in the heart of Lismore would ensure as many local older people as possible can be supported to live the lives they choose in their local community.

“HammondCare is delighted to be making a contribution to the rebuilding effort and be part of the optimism and vibrancy of Lismore,” Mr Baird said.

“It’s great to be here to open this new headquarters for the region alongside the Premier of NSW, the Minister for North Coast Rose Jackson,” he said.

Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg was with Mr Baird when the proposal for the new regional office was announced in May 2022.

“I would like to welcome HammondCare to Lismore. The opening of its new regional headquarters in Molesworth Street is a vote of confidence in Lismore and its future.

“It is also great news for our older community members who can now easily access the quality services provided by HammondCare.

“I’m looking forward to shouting Mike a beer to celebrate the opening of the new regional headquarters.”

South Lismore resident Roger Manby, 86, a special guest at the opening, was one of the 11 HammondCare At Home clients who had their homes inundated last year.

Mr Manby is expected to move back into his home next month after repair work replaces walls and floors that had “turned into porridge” by the record floodwater on February 28, 2022.

He had been a veteran of previous floods, usually watching on casually from his first-floor veranda. He recalls his son waking him at 3am as the water began entering the first floor of his home last year.

“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.”

In addition to impacted clients, another five HammondCare At Home staff in Lismore also had their residences inundated.

The HammondCare Foundation, the charity fundraising arm of HammondCare, raised $85,000 in 2022 specifically the assist these clients and staff. Another $10,000 was donated to the Lismore Flood Appeal.

The new HammondCare At Home office is in a former bank building which was totally submerged last year. The building went through a total refit.

HammondCare At Home regional manager Jodi Peel said HammondCare At Home’s approach was to offer individually tailored support from care workers so older people can continue to live as they want in their own homes. Clients also may benefit from personalised activities with local volunteers and the pastoral care team.

HammondCare At Home is a fast-growing part of HammondCare with about 1500 staff providing care for about 6500 older people in their own homes in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and the ACT.