Anyone caring for a person living with a disability, or who is sick or elderly, understands the benefits of a weekend or night away to relax and recharge.
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Now that very opportunity is available to families and individuals in Kiama, thanks to the hard work of Kiama, Gerringong and Minnamurra Lions Clubs.
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Nearly three years in the making, the Lions Cottage was officially opened on Friday, and will offer carers and their families an affordable holiday option in the stunning seaside town.
Councillor Neil Reilly described the cottage as a “place to give oxygen to carers so they can look after others”, during the formalities.
“The notion of a place for carers to get some respite for themselves is unique, and it’s one of the only ones in NSW,” he said.
The project attracted a number of offers of support from local businesses and suppliers – too many to mention.
However, they have been named on an honour roll at the front of the cottage at 105 Shoalhaven Street.
Lion Ray Redgrave came up with the concept almost four years ago.
“We were lucky Kiama Council came to the party and allowed us to take an old building they owned and transform it into a three bedroom home for carers to come and enjoy for themselves,” Mr Redgrave said.
In February 2016, Council gave the proposal the green light.
“We subsequently started from there,” Mr Redgrave said.
“We have had the most amazing support from local trades and suppliers, and we’ve turned a very ugly duckling into something you can enjoy.
“We’re proud of doing this and together with the Lions Clubs of Minnamurra and Gerringong – without their support and physical and mechanical abilities we wouldn’t be here.
“The enthusiasm from our members has allowed us to do what we set out to achieve – it’s a great outcome.”
Susan Wallis, chairperson for Interchange Illawarra, a respite organisation providing support for people living between Helensburgh and Kiama, said there was an estimated 65,000 carers living in the Wollongong and Shellharbour LGA alone.
“It’s an incredible opportunity for carers to be looked after, there are other opportunities for people living with disabilities to have a break, and it’s great that those places exist, but there’s really not anything specifically for carers,” she said.
“The great thing about this property is that it covers the spectrum for carers and people living with a disability. There’s really three client groups – carers alone, carers could bring a person living with a disability, and there’s also an opportunity for disability organisations to send people with disabilities here.”
Interchange Illawarra anticipates it will use the accommodation in those three ways, and have already started investigating and advertising those options.
“The feedback is that Kiama is a fabulous place to visit, it’s not too far away, you don’t feel so stressed, you haven’t spent half of your break travelling to the location,” she said.
“Kiama is a beautiful community, the cottage is opposite the bowling club and near the beach and the main street, which means you can park and walk, you are well supported by the community and you feel like you’re on holiday just down the road.”
