Calls to relocate answered: Lifeline staff settling into new office

The team has relocating from one Bathurst address to another, moving from its Stewart Street premises to the former Steele and Co. building on the corner of Howick and Rankin streets.

Lifeline Central West announced the move in December last year, after the organisation was able to finally purchase a building following around four decades of renting.

The organisation operates three telecentres in the Central West in Orange, Dubbo and Bathurst.

Executive director Alex Ferguson initially anticipated occupying the building by the end of the first quarter of 2018, however a slight delay will see the team in its new space on Monday. 

“After 41 years in Bathurst, this is our first owned building, which we are very happy about,” he said. 

In order to have the new building set up on time, the team had to start unplugging everything from the old office on Thursday.

The new building will provide Lifeline Central West with a number of offices for staff members, meeting rooms, work stations and a training area.

It will also allow crisis support volunteers to answer calls from people who are struggling.

In the old building, there was just one meeting room, but now Lifeline staff have access to three. 

Mr Ferguson said it was good to be able to offer counsellors and the organisation’s volunteers a better work environment.

However, one of the most significant aspects of the new building is moving Lifeline's Bathurst office into a more visible location. 

“We are delighted and we are smack in the middle of town. We’re delighted to have such a prominent place,” Mr Ferguson said.

Lifeline was able to have the signage placed on the building on Friday and furniture has started to be moved across. 

Mr Ferguson said the phones will all be connected on Monday.