St. Andrews Community Aged Care

03/06/2026

💛 Every place of care begins with a belief. Ours began with community.

More than 50 years ago, a small group of local people came together with a shared vision — that older people in Ballina should be able to age with dignity, care and connection, close to the community they loved.

They faced setbacks, funding challenges and long delays, but they persevered. Thanks to their determination — and the extraordinary generosity of a bequest — that vision became St Andrew’s Ballina.

Today, we honour the original committee, early leaders and supporters whose legacy continues to shape the care we provide every day.

📖 We invite you to read this special story on our website and learn how community spirit and generosity helped build something lasting:

👉 https://standrew.com.au/a-43-year-old-legacy-built-by-community-and-sustained-by-generosity/

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey — past, present and future. 💙

03/06/2026

June 1 was National Smoke alarm day.

As part of our ongoing safety awareness, our Retirement Village maintenance team completed Smoke Alarm Tests along side our local Fireys who were on board to install specialised smoke alarms for residents who also requested hearing impaired smoke alarms.

Specialised smoke alarms for the hearing impaired use visual and tactile alerts (strobe lights and under-pillow bed shakers). Contact your local fire brigade unit if you would like to learn more about Smoke alarms for hearing impaired or visit Fire and Rescue NSW.

National smoke alarm test days occur to remind households to check their smoke alarms prior to the season of increased use of indoor heating.

Fire agencies (including Fire and Rescue NSW) urge testing to ensure life-saving devices are working. It only takes a minute to push the test button on every smoke alarm in the home, it's also a good reminder to check the alarms are under 10 years old and replace old batteries.

Thank you Ballina Firey's for your help in keeping our community safe.

02/06/2026

Supporting our older residents can be as simple as offering a lift and a friendly chat.

We’re looking for volunteers to help with transport to medical appointments — a small act that makes a big difference.

Contact Rowena: 02 6620 5847 / 0416 050 782 • rbowers@standrew.com.au

28/05/2026

26/05/2026

At St Andrew’s we love all our volunteers so it was such a delight on this rainy day to see Volunteer Honey in the building.

Honey’s hooman Colin, brings her to visit residents every Monday, Wednesday & Friday and she shares cuddles and kisses and sunshine with us all.

22/05/2026

💛 Wrapping Up Volunteers Week at St Andrew’s

As Volunteers Week comes to a close, we want to pause and acknowledge the extraordinary people who give their time, energy, and heart to our community.

At St Andrew’s, our volunteers make a difference in ways that can’t always be measured — but are always felt. They sit beside residents who need company, share stories that spark memories, offer a steady hand during activities, and bring warmth into moments that might otherwise be quiet or lonely.

Their kindness strengthens our community.
Their presence enriches daily life. Their care reminds our residents that they are seen, valued, and surrounded by people who genuinely care.

To every volunteer who walks through our doors: thank you.

Your generosity shapes the spirit of St Andrew’s, and we are deeply grateful for all you do.

💛 Your time matters. Your kindness matters. You matter.

20/05/2026

Choosing the right aged care isn’t just about where you live — it’s about how easily you can keep living well.

Recently, resident Margaret headed out to a doctor’s appointment, supported by our Resident Transport Initiative. As Margaret shared afterwards, “Always good to get out for a while with good company.”

At St Andrew’s in Ballina and Byron Bay, we believe great care means removing barriers — including safe, reliable transport to GP appointments, specialists and hospital visits — so residents can stay connected, confident and cared for beyond our gates.

Because peace of mind shouldn’t stop at the front gate. 💙

Check our more about the transport initiative here: https://standrew.com.au/when-access-is-the-intervention-rethinking-transport-in-aged-care/

This activity is funded by Healthy North Coast through the North Coast PHN program.

17/05/2026

💛 National Volunteer Week 💛

This week we proudly celebrate the extraordinary volunteers of St Andrew’s.

Your generosity of time, compassion and connection brings joy, comfort and meaning to the lives of our residents every day.

Thank you for all that you do — this week, and always. 🌼

15/05/2026

Our wonderful knitters are hard at work making garments for people experiencing homelessness in our community this winter.

They need your help as they are running out of wool. If you have any left over balls, or parts of balls of wool, we will gratefully receive them and turn them into something made with love.

All donations of wool can be dropped off to:

St Andrew’s Ballina - 59 Bentinck St, Ballina
St Andrew’s Byron Lodge - 10 Butler St, Byron Bay
St Andrew’s George’s Cottages - 29-33 Marvel St, Byron Bay

Thank you!!

12/05/2026

💙 International Nurses Day 2026

Thank You to all our incredible nurses

Today we celebrate the heart of St Andrew’s — our nurses.

Your care, compassion, and dedication bring comfort and dignity to every person you support.

From early mornings to late nights, you show what true commitment looks like — blending skill with kindness, professionalism with empathy, and teamwork with laughter.

We’re proud to honour you not just today, but every day.

Thank you for the difference you make in the lives of our residents, families, and community.

Happy International Nurses Day 2026! 💙