Nardy House on the Front Page of the Bega District News

Nardy House on the front page of the Bega District News
Press Release: Roof going on permanent accommodation

Contact: Denise Redmond 64938228, 0408675259

The Nardy House Project has received a further boost to its building project. The group received a generous donation, the result of a behest from a deceased estate.

Group Project Manager, Denise Redmond acknowledged the donation saying,“ We were treading a fine financial line in our efforts to put the roof on Nardy House. The donation will mean that we can complete the roof and weatherproof the structure comfortably. We have to raise a further $700 000 to complete our task however the donation gives us enormous heart. We are not alone in our efforts.”

The group continues to receive assistance from a wide variety of local sources. The Dragon Boat Club Committee named Nardy House as its charity for their Club raffle and the Tathra Uniting Church has contributed to the Project’s building efforts for many years. The NSW Cake Decorator’s Guild donated their proceeds to Nardy House Project last year and the Pambula Quilters donated a quilt that was raffled by the Bermagui Lion’s Club and raised over $800. Donations have come from the Quilter’s group in the Euroballa Shire; service clubs and individuals from Bega, Euroballa and Cooma Shires maintain their interest. Many local professional and trades people have undertaken longstanding support of the Project making it possible for the needs of people with profound disabilities to be acknowledged.

The Permablitz group undertook a very successful workday at Nardy House last year. On June 12th a further Permablitz Day is being held to complete the tasks started last year and to launch the installation of the Pyramid Power grid connect system at the site.

“We have been raising some funds from businesses using our promotional film and this is an area that we are devoting a lot of attention to. All funds raised are used to finance the construction of our permanent accommodation building. “

“Stage 1 of our project, a facility offering 24 hour/seven day a week respite to people with profound disabilities, is now operating at capacity. Carers throughout the State are accessing the facility and we receive favourable comments regarding this service. Nardy House Inc. is due to take over the running of this facility in November and the group is presently working on budgetary considerations related to its operation. The facility’s service provision is fully funded by ADHC- Ageing, Disability & Homecare (under a partnership agreement with Nardy House)

The permanent accommodation building is the group’s main aim and represents Stage 2 of the Project. This Stage failed to attract NSW Government funding under the YIPRAC (Young People in Nursing Home) programme. There have been a number of television examinations into monies released by the Federal Government to the NSW State Government for housing for people with disabilities. Four Corners looked at a missing $34 million directed to the State under the Stimulus Package and Channel Seven featured Nardy House when the station examined the housing situation for people with disabilities. A recent Womans Day article discussed the needs of carers; local carer Betsy Hilton and her son Zeke featured. Betsy was later interviewed by 2GB’s Alan Jones

“ Carers can no longer wait for services. There is a great deal of talk and no action on the construction front. The NSW Minister has had to explain to his Federal counterpart where the funds under YIPRAC and the stimulus package have been spent and what exactly was achieved by this expenditure.”

“ In the meantime we are reliant on the community to achieve our goal. For the missing $34 million we could have constructed thirty-four, six bedroom dwellings representing 204 permanent places for people with profound disabilities. We can do this because of the community support we have and because of generous donations given by people who really care for their neighbours.”