Ballina Homemaker Centre Flood Relief, Home Essentials Initiatives

Following the severe weather events in Northern New South Wales and Queensland, the flood-affected communities in and around Ballina and Tweed faced large-scale damage that devasted homes and businesses.

Rising flood waters and high tides cut off roads made it difficult for residents to access basic necessities.

Despite facing numerous challenges, telecommunications and internet outages and difficulties with road networks, the Ballina and Tweed Heads Homemaker Centres worked together with the owners and retailers to pull together and successfully execute a community support campaign within 5 days.

     

National retailers Pillow Talk and Spotlight secured and delivered more than five pallets of pillows, towels, and bed sheets for the Centre to purchase at a heavily discounted rate. These items were then given away to those members of the community that were in need.

Rebecca Gill, Marketing Manager said “Many people had lost everything and were sleeping in temporary accommodation with only the clothes on their back.

“The offer of a pillows, a set of sheets and towels was met with enormous gratitude.”

The Centre Management team worked with Harvey Norman and other bedding retailers to assist customers purchase new beds at heavily discounted rates.

The Centre also provided retailers with gift cards which could then be used to either place deposits on bedding or provide further discounts on the total purchase amount.

This was very well received as many customers did not have insurance or were faced with lengthy wait times for payouts.

More than 150 families received new bedding.

There was also a free sausage sizzle for retailers and the community along with free bottled water and coffee on the day.

The local Ballina Lions Club gathered volunteers and cooked and served over 300 sausage sandwiches.

As a thank you, Harvey Norman donated a BBQ to Ballina Lions Club for their future use.

“Feedback from customers and retailers was amazing and the Centre is humbled and grateful for the opportunity to help get the local community back on their feet.” said Centre Manager Mel Cusack.

Ballina Homemaker Centre is owned by Harvey Norman and managed by CBRE.