After being closed since February last year due to severe flood incursion, the Northern Rivers Community Gateway community hub in Lismore is finally reopening its doors.

To celebrate the occasion with our communities, Community Gateway will host a free public open day on Friday 12 May, from 2-6pm. This event is an opportunity for everyone to come along, connect, inspect the renovated premises, enjoy some great entertainment, get involved in some fun activities and win some prizes. Food and refreshments will be available, children and families are welcome.

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.

“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,” said Community Gateway CEO Jenni Beetson-Mortimer.

“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.”

“Our open day on 12 May serves to let local communities know that are finally running at full capacity again; to remind vulnerable and disadvantaged locals that we’re here to support them; and to reconnect with our community partners.”

For more information about Community Gateway and their community hub, contact CEO Jenni Beetson-Mortimer. Email ceo@nrcg.org.au, telephone 0458 675 338.