New era for support service

Yesterday the non-profit organisation that provides respite for carers to the disabled and aged and helps young children who have developmental delays or disabilities unveiled its new headquarters at 220 Borella Road.

Chief executive Nigel Stone said it was the culmination of a search that started in 2005.

“After many, many months of searching for an appropriate administration building we have found what we believe will be our administrative base for the future,” he said.

“Our previous site at Reservoir Road served Woodstock Support well for more than 25 years, but we have now outgrown that facility.

“What this really means is a change of perception, from what started as a volunteer organisation to the professional service we provide today.”

Woodstock employs more than 50 people in full-time and part-time roles that look after the needs of about 180 families on the Border.

Many are carers but others are involved in physiotherapy and speech therapy for the young.

“Those needs can be anything from a weekend off for the carers, to just a bit of extra me time during the day,” Woodstock’s Fiona Simonis said.

Albury Mayor Patricia Gould praised the past efforts of the organisation.

“Albury Council is proud to have stood by Woodstock every step of the way as it embarked on the difficult task of finding suitable facilities,” she said.

“Council understands the valuable contribution this organisation makes in supporting carers and people who have disabilities.

“That is reflected in our decision to contribute $200,000 to the purchase of their new premises.”

The centre opened for residential care for people with a disability in Reservoir Road, in 1983 on the site of the Woodstock Presbyterian Girls School.

Mr Stone said Woodstock had also received $500,000 in funding from the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care to buy the new offices.