2020 BINGARA HAPPY DAYS ORANGE FESTIVAL – POSTPONED UNTIL 2021

Due to restrictions in place regarding COVID-19, it is with great sadness that the organisers of the 2020 Bingara Happy Days Orange Festival have made the tough call to postpone the festival to 2021.

Organisers understand how important the event is for the Bingara community, retailers and businesses, as well as the stallholders, suppliers and performers who partake in the festival; and for this reason have held off making the decision in hopes of a miraculous resolution to the COVID-19 situation.

Following announcements in Friday’s Cabinet meeting it became apparent that restrictions would not ease enough to allow for such an event.

A fantastic line-up of performers and attractions had been sourced for this year’s festival however; rest assured these acts will be back in 2021 ready and rearing to rock your socks off.

Organisers will be working with the Bingara Central School and RSL Sub-branch to come up with creative ways of continuing the Orange Picking tradition and paying respect to our fallen soldiers. This will be communicated in due course.

Stall holders who have already booked and paid for a site will be contacted by the 30th May 2020 to arrange a refund.

In the meantime, mark Friday the 25th to Sunday 27th June 2021 in your calendar, and we look forward to welcoming you back for the 2021 Bingara Happy Days Orange Festival.

For more information please contact Georgia Standerwick on 0409 901 540.

Naroo Frail Aged Care Facility – Gwydir Shire Council COVID-19 Precautions UPDATED 25/03/2020

As of Thursday 26th March 2020 Naroo Frail Aged Care Facility will be going into voluntary lock down.

This has been a difficult decision but it is imperative to keep our residents as safe and healthy as possible.

This decision has been made on recent information of confirmed COVID-19 cases within the area, and in consultation with local Medical staff and Gwydir Shire Council. All families/carers will be contacted in regards to this decision.

We are very aware of social isolation and are working hard with the IT department to set up Skype and utilise FaceTime so that relatives can remain in contact with their loved ones.

Essential travel to Medical appointments will continue and residents will be assessed on an individual basis.

Families will be contacted on a regular basis by staff to let them know how their loved ones are coping. All staff will be screened at the beginning of each shift to ensure they are fit for work.

If in the event that one of our residents becomes very ill and requires palliative care, visitors will be allowed ensuring infection control measures are kept in place.

We hope this crisis passes quickly and that our residents, families and staff at Naroo remain healthy and safe.

We also thank you all for your understanding and patience during this time.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Aged Care Manager Sharon Baker 0267291314 or Mobile 0437134501 for any concerns or queries.

Naroo Frail Aged Care Facility – Gwydir Shire Council COVID-19 Precautions UPDATED 18/03/2020

Gwydir Shire Council and Staff at the Naroo Frail Aged Care facility are taking precautions to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Many of our Aged care residents within our facility are especially susceptible to this disease due to other chronic illnesses and we are taking this seriously in protecting our vulnerable residents within the facility.

Scott Morrison today announced more measures aimed at curtailing the spread of the coronavirus, including new aged care guidelines.

In regards to aged care, PM Scott Morrison has said that visitors who are sick or anyone returning from overseas will be barred from going to aged care facilities. Only short visits to residents at facilities will be allowed, with a maximum of two people once a day.

Any visits must take place in a resident’s room or designated space barring any communal areas and Morrison urged everyone to practice social distancing of 1.5 metres.

He has also reiterated that any staff who have been overseas may not enter a facility or anyone who has been in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case.

In response to this Naroo Frail Aged Care facility are asking family and friends to not visit Naroo residents unless it is absolutely necessary. Restrictions to visiting times have also been imposed as outlined below:

If you need to visit the interim visiting hours are

  • 11am – 12pm days MAXIMUM OF 2 VISITORS AT A TIME
  • 6pm – 7pm evenings MAXIMUM OF 2 VISITORS AT A TIME
  • NO Visitor under the Age of 16 years old may enter the facility.

Visitors must remain in the Residents room or outside at no time will they be allowed in communal areas such as dining rooms and lounge rooms. Outside areas can be utilised for visitation.

Our reception staff and/or care staff will ask specific screening questions of you prior to you your entry.  The front door will be locked and you are required to use the call bell system so staff can screen you prior to entry. If you respond yes to any of the screening questions you will not be allowed into the facility.

Please do not visit Naroo Aged Care residents under any circumstances:

  1. If you have returned from an overseas trip or a domestic flight anywhere in Australia within last 14 days.
  2. If you are experiencing cold or flu like symptoms or you have been in contact with anyone that has had cold or flu like symptoms until we know that the COVID-19 Pandemic is under control.

We are asking all community members to work with us in protecting our elderly residents and thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

For further details or any concerns please do not hesitate to contact:

Sharon Baker – Aged Care Manager Gwydir Shire
Ph: 02 6729 1314
Mobile: 0437 134 501