On Friday morning, the excitement on the faces of the small crowd gathered by the highway was plain to see. The contract for the construction of the Jindelara Respite Cottage had just been signed, signalling a momentous turning point in the long journey to get the facility.
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The campaign for the cottage, which will allow parents of children with disabilities to access respite care without having to travel to Nowra and beyond, has been a remarkable story of tenacity and generosity.
The tireless efforts of Lions, Apex and Rotary deserve special mention. As service clubs in other regions struggle to keep memberships active and energised, the results with Jindelara show they are in a healthy state in our part of the world.
The parents of the children with disabilities who have been pushing for a respite centre since 2005 have been an inspiration for the entire community, which has dug deep to turn a dream into a reality.
All that relentless fundraising has paid off, as has the lobbying of politicians, who have secured significant funding to get the project off the ground. Even the Prime Minister got involved, visiting Ulladulla last year to announce funding for the cottage.
Local generosity has continued into the negotiations with the builder, who has secured great rates from tradies and suppliers.
With the contract signed with Hotondo Homes, work on the cottage is expected to start in a matter of weeks.
The Jindelara journey has set the bar high as far as whole-of-community campaigns go. Its success is something all of us in this big hearted community should be mightily proud of. It goes to show what can be achieved with dedication, determination and plain old hard work.
But that doesn’t mean the fundraising can ease off. While the cost of construction of the building has been largely met, there is still a need for cash to pay for the fitout.
Given the sometimes profound nature of disabilities the cottage will have to manage, there is a need for specialised equipment and fittings, including beds and hoists.
These can cost many thousands of dollars.
So we urge everyone in the community to continue lending a hand so the cottage can become fully operational as soon as possible.
Jindelara Cottage will make a huge difference to the lives of those it will care for. To be able to look back and say we were a part of that is an honour indeed.
