The Star Entertainment Group has donated the entire contents from its five-star luxury hotel The Darling to online donation platform GIVIT, including hundreds of new mattresses, designer sofas, dining tables, chairs and desks.

The superior quality furniture and household items from all 171 rooms including five penthouse suites, have been earmarked to help vulnerable communities to get back on their feet.

GIVIT CEO Sarah Tennant said, “We are commemorating the one-year anniversary of the devastating floods across parts of Northern New South Wales so these items, through the wonderful work on the ground by our partner charity Resilient Lismore, and in turn their local partner Rebuilding the Northern Rivers, will allow many families to make their houses feel like homes again.

“We will also support the Dr Steve Burroughs Foundation with furniture from The Darling going to remote First Nations communities in Queensland and New South Wales.

“For the past 12 months GIVIT has been working with government, local councils and grassroots organisations to facilitate the donation of hundreds of thousands of essential items for the flood ravaged Northern Rivers community.

“The Star’s ongoing support of GIVIT has allowed us to provide people who are moving back into flood damaged homes with high quality furniture and household items.”

City councillor and executive director of Resilient Lismore, Elly Bird said the impacts of the catastrophic floods on the local community are still ongoing.

“This was one of Australia’s biggest natural disasters and the mammoth recovery effort started the moment the flood waters receded,” Ms Bird.

“But we are a long way off. One year on there are still many hundreds of people living in temporary accommodation like caravans or with friends, or even worse in tents or cars.

“Being able to provide those who have been able to get back to their homes or into permanent accommodation with these household goods will help people rebuild and return their lives to some normalcy.” Christina Grasso General Manager of Hotels, Events & Guest Experience at The Star Sydney said the hotel contents were pledged as part of the company’s commitment to donate $2 million of furniture to GIVIT from across its three properties. “We are proud to be able to support our national community partner GIVIT and its charities doing such inspiring work during challenging times,” said Ms Grasso. “The Star has a commitment to sustainable practices diverting and repurposing obsolete furniture from landfill as well as striving to help the communities in the cities and states in which we operate. “The timing of the refurbishment of The Darling meant we were in a unique position to provide items that are still so desperately needed by so many.” GIVIT works with more than 4,500 charities and support organisations around Australia to coordinate donations for people experiencing hardship due to natural disasters, domestic and family violence, homelessness, disability, and mental health.

Local charities, services and community groups can register with GIVIT for free to access thousands of donations offered by generous individuals and corporates. Register via GIVIT.org.au/need-help/organisations.

The upgrade to The Darling at The Star Sydney is expected to be finalised by June 2023.