Our Stories

Ivy Ravell

Building Services Client

It’s the small things that make a difference for 106-year-old Ivy Ravell, who lives at home with her granddaughter Donna on the NSW Mid North Coast.

Home modifications by the Helping Hands Building Services team have meant she can stay in the home her husband built back in 1958, with her granddaughter providing 24-hour care.

“At Christmas we delivered a hamper of food to Ivy and she was so happy to be with her granddaughter, surrounded by her memories.“

“It’s great to be able to help people like Ivy stay at home longer, and be safe and secure at home” 

Building Services Manager Natalie Bolt

Lorraine Thurlow

Care Services Client

Helping Hands assists around 300 people with building and care services every year, including more than 100 veterans. One of them is former Olympic gold medal swimming champion Lorraine Thurlow (nee Crapp).

Lorraine along with relay teammates Dawn Fraser, Faith Leech and Sandra Morgan won gold for Australia at the 1956 Olympics. Lorraine also made swimming history when she earned a place as the first woman to break the five-minute barrier in the 400m freestyle.

Lorraine competed in two Olympic Games (Melbourne in 1956 and Rome in 1960). On the eve of her departure for the Rome Olympics, she secretly married her sweetheart Dr Robert Thurlow. A medical officer for the Australian team, Dr Thurlow became the local doctor in Forster. The couple settled in Forster and raised their family.

Lorraine came to Helping Hands through the Veterans’ Home Care program. She receives assistance through this program because Dr Thurlow was a veteran. The program gives veterans and their dependents help to allow them to stay independent at home. We mostly assist Lorraine with cleaning services.

Sandra Morgan, Dawn Fraser and Lorraine Thurlow (1956 Olympics)