Stage one of the project was unveiled on Friday, with each element of the community on hand to celebrate.

For Pambula Rotary’s Janet Brandon, who conjured the idea, it was a “no brainer” for the new hospital.

She got to task and wrote to then state health minister Jillian Skinner about the concept.

“She said ‘go for it’, then [Southern NSW Local Health District CEO] Dr Max Alexander was tasked to work with us and we formed it into a joint service club project,” Ms Brandon said.

“It was a no brainer because everyone in the community will be in the situation where they will need it.”

The new group leading the project would become known as the Community Carers Accommodation of the South East, and president Lynne Koerbin said the project showed what can be done when the community, business and government work together.

Ms Koerbin became emotional when she thanked her family and family members of other committee members for their support throughout the project.

“We’ve been carried by the generosity of the volunteers,” she said.

One of those volunteers was project manager Chris Ball, who has over 30 years experience with health buildings in South Australia, and describes himself as the “shifting spanner in the tool box”.

Ms Koerbin said the accommodation will be known as Booraja House after consultation with the Bega Local Aboriginal Land Council and Bega Valley Shire Council’s liaison officer Graham Moore.

The name incorporates mind, body and soul and the past present and future, representing three circles, Ms Koerbin said.