The recovery from the floods on the NSW Mid North Coast continues, with support provided by hundreds of local staff often themselves personally impacted, in efforts described by Whiddon CEO Chris Mamarelis as "the very best aged care represents".
The Not For Profit, which has 19 aged care homes across New South Wales and southern Queensland, has suffered damage at two homes: Wingham, 230km north of Sydney, and Largs, a suburb of nearby Maitland.
Residents of a small unit complex in Whiddon adjacent to the aged care home had to be evacuated when floodwaters inundated the ground floor, exceeding one metre in some areas and causing extensive damage.
"The most significant impact occurred at Wingham, where the broader area sadly experienced extensive flooding and damage," Chris told The Weekly SOURCE. "Fortunately, our residential aged care home itself was not structurally or physically damaged, which we are incredibly grateful for."
In the Largs aged care home, many employees were unable to access the facility due to rising floodwaters cutting off roads and transport routes, Chris said.
A community devastated but working together
The flooding has had a significant impact on many Whiddon staff as well as the loved ones of both staff and residents.
"Some employees experienced damage to their homes or property, while others were isolated due to impassable roads and floodwaters," Chris said.
