The company, which offers all levels of care from residential and retirement to hostel and nursing home at its three sites in Shoal Bay, Final Bay and Salamander Bay, was incorporated on October 13, 1981.

In addition to postponing the 40^th anniversary celebrations, the company has been forced to put on hold the official opening of the retirement village at Salamander Haven.

"We would have liked to mark our 40^th birthday with a celebration event and invite the many people who have supported us over the years, but unfortunately COVID put a halt to that," said company chairman of 14 years, Gerry Mohan.

"We are deeply indebted to so many people who have supported us over 40-plus years and worked tirelessly to ensure that we remain a leading and viable centre in aged and veterans care."

Mr Mohan paid tribute to pioneers such as Bill King, Bernie Thompson, Geoff Robinson, Jack and Clare Mees, Bart Richardson, Alan and Shirley Hudson, Butch Foley, Barry and Mollie Carter, Bob Hamill and John and Kathy Edmonds.

Then there were the political supporters including Bob Martin (now a resident), Arthur Wade, Les Johnson, Lyn Gordon, Don Grimes, Bruce Cowan, Nick Greiner and Bruce MacKenzie. The Pink Ladies auxiliary was also a willing and loyal band of volunteers that played a major role in supporting residents and undertaking many of the chores around the buildings.

"There would be many names, volunteers and advocates, missing from this list, as this was a community effort and remains as such."

Mr Mohan said that the first elected committee had been a tower of strength in the early days and that both federal and state governments and Port Stephens Council had provided land and financial grants to assist with the foundations of the Harbourside name.

He described the original Harbourside directors, newcomers to the burgeoning aged care industry, as innovators who were prepared to learn as they went. "They cleared the mud and the mire for others in the industry to follow."

CEO Sheree Gemmell said that plans for the official opening of the retirement village at Salamander Haven have been placed on hold.

"This is the second time we have been forced to postpone the opening - originally we had scheduled an opening in March but the major floods affected those plans and then we had the delta outbreak of the coronavirus and consequent lockdown."

Ms Gemmell said that sales inquiries at Salamander had accelerated since the lifting of restrictions, with just 14 of the 56 units still available for purchase at prices starting at $465,000.

She said that there had been some challenges, in addition to COVID-19, with sales in recent months, including the proliferation of over 55s parks on the market in Port Stephens, and the public findings of the aged care royal commission.

"But we also have many benefits ... as a not-for-profit company we give back to the Port Stephens community by providing local jobs (currently 320 across three sites), sourcing local products and supporting a range of charities including Legacy, veterans networks, Men of League, just to name a few," Ms Gemmell said.

Ms Gemmell said that visitors had been welcomed back to the facility under the newly implemented government regulations and public health orders, which came into force on October 11.

Visitors can find a copy of the roadmap to 'Visitation for our Residential Aged Care in line with Commonwealth Department of Health and NSW Health' on the Harbourside Haven website: harboursidehaven.com.au.

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