HACC Coordinator Sarah Bellach said the service was established thanks to funding from Cabonne Council and thanked everyone for joining them for this “special milestone”. 

“Funding for Home and Community Care Services was first received in July 1992, under the auspice of Cabonne Council,” she said.

“The driving force behind Council receiving this funding was Mr Gary Brown, who, after 31 years of service, has recently retired from Council.”

Ms Bellach said the first HACC Coordinator was Maggie White.

“Maggie was employed by Cabonne Council on September 30, 1992, and was based in the Canowindra office, where HACC still resides today,” she said. 

“The first service to be delivered under this funding was Community Transport.

“From this date HACC has been a dedicated service supporting the needs of the senior residents within Cabonne.”

Ms Bellach said Merlene James then became Coordinator in 1993 and spent 17 years in the role before retiring in July 2010. 

“Merlene was fundamental in moulding the services in to what they are currently today,” she said. 

“Debbie Young, took on the role of Coordinator for a short twelve months, before I commenced in 2011.

“Other long-standing staff include Heather Barr, Food Services Officer, retired in May 2011 after nine years of service. Alan Symons, retired in 2013.”

In 2016/17, HACC delivered”

Ms Bellach said it would be possible without the help of the staff and volunteers of the service. 

“Currently HACC has 120 volunteers assisting 229 clients. These are exceptional numbers based on the size of our service,” she said. 

“I would like to thank both past and present staff, volunteers and clients for making the service was it is today.”