At a ceremony on October 24 two cheques were handed over to help provide activities for residents of the facility.

The local Masonic Lodge group raised $5000 through community fundraising.

The money was then matched by the regional office in Sydney as part of their interactional grants.

The Myall Aged care facility was the first to receive money as part of the grants from the Masonic Lodge Port Stephens.

Interactional grant money from the regional office must be spent in the local community and must be given to a registered community organisation.

“The community of Hawks Nest Tea Gardens with the Masonic help have given an enormous amount of money to the residents,” master of Masonic Lodge Port Stephens, Tony Ward said.

The money given by the Masonic Lodge Port Stephens was raised through charity nights and other events throughout the year.

“The funds are going to be used for activities and facilities to help residents to interact with each other and the wider community,” Mr Ward said.

Once the facility opens the new section and is fully functional the Myall Lodge will provide higher care, allowing residents to stay in Hawks Nest if they need more care.

At the moment residents needing more care must move to the Great Lakes Nursing Home in Bulahdelah.

The funds will provide activities for residents such as talking and large print books and equipment to help with the exercise program ran at the Lodge.