Year: 2025

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Please be advised that we currently have a COVID-19 outbreak at Whiddon Narrabri – Robert Young with 2 residents testing positive to COVID-19 within North Wing. The wing is now isolated, visitation continues with precautions in place. 

All visitors to RAT (Rapid Antigen Test) prior to entry, and to wear a N95 mask at all times when visiting the home.

Please note: If you are unwell or have any flu-like symptoms, please do not visit the home.

The families of residents who have tested positive will be contacted directly by the team.

We know that this is a challenging time, and we appreciate your understanding and support. Our team is here to provide the best possible care for your loved ones and we are confident that we can manage this outbreak effectively.

– The Whiddon Team

Dear Residents, Families and Employees

Further to our update yesterday, the Bureau of Meteorology is still predicting Cyclone Alfred to make landfall later tonight or Saturday morning.

Please rest assured that we continue to work hard on our preparations with a focus on keeping our residents and employees safe and supported.

We will provide further updates tomorrow via SMS. If phone lines go down, calls will be diverted to the Emergency Mobile phone, and the team will respond as soon as possible. We will also provide any major updates on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/WhiddonCare

You can monitor alerts and updates at www.ses.nsw.gov.au or www.ses.qld.gov.au

Thank you and stay safe

The Whiddon Team

Dear Clients

As we prepare for Cyclone Alfred to Make landfall, we expect there to be significant flooding across the mid-North Coast.

It’s important that you stay indoors and stay updated on your local area conditions by listening to ABC Radio News or via the SES website – www.ses.nsw.gov.au

If we need to cancel your service due to flooding, we will be in touch as soon as possible.

Please contact us on 1300 738 388 if you have any concerns.

For urgent support, call the SES on 132 500 or in an emergency, call 000.

Stay safe

The Whiddon team

Dear Families and Employees

As we prepare for Cyclone Alfred to make landfall, we expect there to be significant flooding across the mid-North Coast.

Our Homes are preparing for potential flooding, and we have sufficient stocks of food, medication and essential supplies over the coming week.

The safety and wellbeing of our residents and employees is our highest priority at this time.

While we always welcome visitors at Whiddon, we encourage you to also prepare and stay safe, and to avoid travel to our impacted Homes over the next few days.  

We will keep you updated as the situation unfolds. Please take care.

The Whiddon team

Dear Clients and Families,

As Cyclone Alfred approaches, please call us at 1300 738 388 if you need any help.

• Urgent support: Call SES at 132 500.
• Emergencies: Call 000.

Stay indoors and follow emergency services’ instructions. Listen to ABC radio for updates and be ready to evacuate if needed.

You might lose power, so keep a torch handy.

May you stay safe and well. We will check in with you over the next few days.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Employees

Further to our update yesterday, the Bureau of Meteorology is now predicting Cyclone Alfred to make landfall late Friday or Saturday morning according to latest reports.

Damaging and destructive wind gusts, storms, and heavy rainfall are expected to develop later today, impacting parts of south-east Queensland and northern NSW.

The current advice from the SES is to stay indoors and prepare.

Our teams have secured our homes, tested our generators, and have sufficient fuel, food, medication and essential supplies to ensure they are prepared for all scenarios. We continue to monitor the situation closely.

We will send regular SMS updates about the Home’s status. If phone lines go down, calls will be diverted to the Emergency Mobile phone, and the team will respond as soon as possible.

For those who are continuing to work, remember to put your safety first: 

• Do not travel to your shift if it is unsafe (e.g., flooded roads, extreme weather) – please liaise directly with your RSM if you can continue to work and would benefit from more local accommodation

• Keep your mobile phone charged and on-hand for updates.

• Monitor the SES Website and ABC News Radio for weather updates.

• Secure your home in preparation for the cyclone

It is also important that you take steps to secure your own home, family, and pets – here is a link to our Flood Preparation Checklist which you can view here.

Disaster Leave

Whiddon will support employees to take up to 3 days of paid leave in the event they are impacted by a Natural disaster. Our goal is to support our team members during these challenging times and ensure their safety and well-being.

We are communicating the process for this leave with Managers today, so please reach out to your Manager directly if you need to apply for this leave.

Remember, if you need support during the cyclone of floods, you can call the SES on 132 500 or in an emergency call 000. 

The Whiddon Team

Dear Residents and Families

Further to our update yesterday, the Bureau of Meteorology is now predicting Cyclone Alfred to make landfall late Friday or Saturday morning according to latest reports.

Damaging and destructive wind gusts, storms, and heavy rainfall are expected to develop later today, impacting parts of south-east Queensland and northern NSW.

The current advice from the SES is to stay indoors and prepare.

Our teams have secured our homes, tested our generators, and have sufficient fuel, food, medication and essential supplies to ensure they are prepared for all scenarios. We continue to monitor the situation closely.

We will send regular SMS updates about the Home’s status. If phone lines go down, calls will be diverted to the Emergency Mobile phone, and the team will respond as soon as possible.

We also encourage you to make your own preparations if you live in an area that may be impacted by the cyclone – you can view our Flood Preparation Checklist here.

Thank you for your support and stay safe,

The Whiddon Team

Dear Employees

Further to our update yesterday, the Bureau of Meteorology is now predicting Cyclone Alfred to make landfall late Friday or Saturday morning according to latest reports.

Damaging and destructive wind gusts, storms, and heavy rainfall are expected to develop later today, impacting parts of south-east Queensland and northern NSW.

Whiddon’s non-essential services continue to be cancelled until Sunday. At this stage and depending on the weather, we may need to cancel essential services from tomorrow or Saturday – we will keep you updated, and our team will contact you directly if this occurs.

For now, the SES has advised everyone to stay at home, and to follow the directions of emergency services. You can stay up-to-date by listening to ABC News Radio, or via the SES website (https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/ for NSW or https://www.ses.qld.gov.au/ for QLD).

For those who are continuing to deliver essential services, remember to put your safety first: 

• Do not travel to your shift if it is unsafe (e.g., flooded roads, extreme weather) or if you have other responsibilities (e.g., caring for children due to school closures, or protecting).

• Keep your mobile phone charged and on-hand for updates.

• Monitor the SES Website and ABC News Radio for weather updates.

• Secure your home in preparation for the cyclone.

It is also important that you take steps to secure your own home, family, and pets – here is a link to our Flood Preparation Checklist which you can view here.

Disaster Leave

Whiddon will support employees to take up to 3 days of paid leave in the event they are impacted by a Natural disaster. Our goal is to support our team members during these challenging times and ensure their safety and well-being.

We are communicating the process for this leave with Managers today, so please reach out to your Manager directly if you need to apply for this leave.

If you need urgent support, you can call the SES on 132 500 or in an emergency call 000. 

Please take care and stay safe

The Whiddon Team

Dear Clients and Families

Further to our update yesterday, the Bureau of Meteorology is now predicting Cyclone Alfred to make landfall late Friday or Saturday morning according to latest reports.

Damaging and destructive wind gusts, storms, and heavy rainfall are expected to develop later today, impacting parts of south-east Queensland and northern NSW.

Whiddon’s non-essential services continue to be cancelled until Sunday. At this stage and depending on the weather, we may need to cancel essential services from tomorrow or Saturday – we will keep you updated, and our team will contact you directly if this occurs.

For now, the SES has advised everyone to stay at home, and to follow the directions of emergency services. You can stay up to date by listening to ABC News Radio, or via the SES website (https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/ for NSW or https://www.ses.qld.gov.au/ for QLD).

The safety and wellbeing of our clients and employees is our priority and we are taking every effort to prepare for this weather situation.

We are asking our clients to take steps now to ensure that if you are asked to evacuate, you have a plan in place and know where you will go. We have prepared a Flood Preparation Checklist which you can view here.

If you need urgent support, you can call the SES on 132 500 or in an emergency call 000. 

Please take care and stay safe,

The Whiddon Team

Dear Volunteer

As a valued member of our Whiddon Family, we wanted to keep you updated on Cyclone Alfred.

As many of you are aware, the Government has issued alerts regarding Tropical Cyclone Alfred for Southern Queensland and Northern New South Wales residents.   

This weather event could bring damaging winds, heavy rainfall and possibly flash flooding, in areas of NSW and Queensland coasts from today.

The safety and wellbeing of our Volunteers is our priority, and we are taking every effort to prepare for this weather situation.

Stay Safe

Please:

• Do not travel – please restrict any travel and stay at home
• Keep your mobile phone charged and on-hand for updates.
• Monitor the SES Website and ABC News Radio for weather updates.
• For urgent situations, call the SES at 132 500 or dial 000 in an emergency.
• Secure your home in preparation for the cyclone.

Extra Support

Please contact me if you are concerned of if there is any further support we can provide you with at this time.  

Take care

Maca Alonso Roncoroni

Volunteer Manager

volunteers@whiddon.com.au