Neami Mid North Coast provides crisis relief during Port Macquarie floods

In May 2025 floodwaters surged through Port Macquarie in what’s been called a one-in-500-year-event, leaving thousands of people isolated.

Service Manager Cherie Caltabiano and her team at Neami Mid North Coast rallied to coordinate support for the community.

Within hours, they launched a recovery centre stocked with food, dry clothes, bedding, hygiene packs and mobile charging stations. They also provided emotional care and a safe space for locals, many of whom had lost nearly everything they owned.

Neami Senior Manager Operations Liam Farrelly reflected on Cherie’s leadership, which was vital to coordinating a successful flood response.

“The most remarkable part is what happened behind the scenes. Leading a team through disaster is one thing, but doing it without burning them out is real leadership.

“Throughout the crisis Cherie was fiercely protective of her team’s wellbeing. She ensured debrief spaces were available, personally checked in with each staff member and reminded them that their emotional safety mattered just as much as the community’s physical safety.”

Having led collaborative community action on numerous occasions, Cherie and her team were well poised to respond quickly when this natural disaster hit.

They’d previously brought together other regional service providers Community Housing Ltd, New Horizons and YP Space to establish a homeless hub, Our Place. The hub is a drop-in space that provides support to around 50 people a week with access to free food, clothing and toiletries, showers and laundry facilities, while also providing a point of connection with local support services.

Our Place addresses gaps in the region’s response to homelessness and housing insecurity and was awarded Community Group of the Year 2024 by Port Macquarie Hastings Council.

The team has also hosted the Neami Community Cup for seven years running. The Cup brings together community and local service providers for a soccer tournament during mental health month.

Liam said, “more than fun, the Community Cup became a binding agent for interagency relationships that were critical during the recent disaster response.”