On Tuesday 4 July, the Annecto Dubbo team hosted the official opening of their brand-new community hub in the heart of Dubbo.
Staff from across the Annecto teams, people we support, Board members and members of the local community were welcomed in by the Annecto Dubbo team to celebrate the launch of their beautiful new space.
Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony with Uncle Lewis Burns
A crowd gathered inside the new space where Uncle Lewis Burns was introduced to do the Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony.
Uncle Lewis is a Tubba-Gah Wiradjuri man born and living in Dubbo, NSW. Uncle Lewis welcomed guests to the Wiradjuri lands of the Tubba-Gah people on which the Dubbo office is located and invited everyone to take part in a smoking ceremony.
The opening ceremony and speeches
Guests heard from Mathew Dickerson, Mayor of Dubbo Regional Council, who spoke about the Dubbo office providing a great service and being exactly what the town of Dubbo needs.
“Many years ago, we did some analysis of what Dubbo would need in the future,” he said. “One of the areas we identified as a huge growth area was potentially having services for people who are aging in our community.”
Next, we heard from Rhodora Brooking, Annecto Operations Manager for Mid North Coast and Dubbo, who welcomed everyone to the community hub.
Rhodora thanked everyone who was involved in building and creating the new space, saying they helped make it so “warm and inviting” for the people we support and the community.
Cheryl De Zilwa, Annecto’s CEO, then shared with guests some history about Annecto and how the organisation started in Footscray, Victoria, many years ago and has now evolved to having multiple offices around the country like the one in Dubbo.
Some words from the Annecto Dubbo team and the people we support
Guests then heard from the Dubbo team and watched a video of staff sharing their stories about working with Annecto and their passion for working in their local community and providing support.
“I enjoy my job at Annecto as a Support Worker as I get to spend quality time with the elderly in the community and maybe make their days a bit brighter.” – Karen, Support Worker at Annecto Dubbo
“I started off at Annecto as a Support Worker. I was given the opportunity to advance to a Workforce Coordinator role. I think we have a great team. I feel very supported by management. I am challenged every single day and I am grateful that I have been given this opportunity.” – Katie, Workforce Coordinator at Annecto Dubbo
“I consider it a real privilege to be working for Annecto, an organisation that lives and breathes its purpose and values. I feel that the work that we do, when it makes a difference in people’s lives, is extremely rewarding.” – Rhodora, Operations Manager for Mid North Coast and Dubbo
A few of the people we support in the area shared their experiences of receiving support from Annecto.
Murray and his daughter Melissa shared what brought them to Annecto and how the organisation has supported Murray in getting a mobility scooter so he can spend more time out in the local community and having fun with his grandchildren.
Introducing the Coolamon Arts Hub to Dubbo
Dion Teasdale, Coolamon Arts Hub Coordinator, then spoke to introduce the local community to Coolamon. Coolamon, an Annecto enterprise, works in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders and communities to support and elevate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander small businesses.
Dion also shared information with guests about the Coolamon Arts Hub which supports established and emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to create, share and sell their original artwork. Access Coolamon website to purchase their amazing artwork.
He also announced an exciting new development: Coolamon launched a regular and ongoing art display inside Annecto Dubbo’s reception space, including artwork from local Tubba-Gah Wiradjuri man, Uncle Lewis Burns.
The celebrations continued
Annecto CEO Cheryl De Zilwa and Annecto COO Michael Beres cut the ribbon to officially open the new Dubbo office. Board members Colleen Furlanetto and Fran Raymond cut the cake before lunch was served.
The new community hub buzzed as staff, the people we support, and the local community gathered to share lunch and some stories over a cup of tea.
It was a wonderful day marking the official opening of the new Dubbo office. Well done to the Dubbo team and everyone involved in launching the community hub, it really is the perfect space for everyone to come together for social activities, to receive support or to discuss what support services are available.
We are excited to see what comes next for Annecto Dubbo!
Do you want to know more about Annecto Dubbo?
Annecto Dubbo offers individualised government funded and fee-for-service aged care support services that address your needs and support you to achieve your personal goals.
When you’re next in Dubbo, drop in and meet the friendly team. Annecto Dubbo is located at 1A 88-90 Macquarie Street, Dubbo, NSW, 2830, directly across the road from the Riverdale Shopping Centre.
You can contact the Dubbo team on (02) 6875 6277 or learn more about our aged care support services here.
