Ms Horrigan was announced as the winner of the competition that will see her receive $50,000 towards a refresh of her home.

“Thank you doesn’t begin to show how appreciative I am. It is literally overwhelming,” the mother of three said.

“Since buying the house eight years ago it desperately needed renovations. We knew it needed fixing up, but the years go by and we just couldn't afford to do it.

“Another child came along and so we couldn't do it then either. Now, eight years later, I can finally get something done.”

It was due for a makeover even before that, Ms Horrigan said. She was thrilled to be given an opportunity to create a better home for her young family.

“The fence is falling down, the carpet and floors are horrible so that needs replacing ... this will really help us to change the environment,” she said. 

“It will be like starting again. We will be able to forget all the hard times and this makeover will make that easier.”

The competition was open to everyone in the Hastings and, after a long process and independent judging, Ms Horrigan was given the green light as the inaugural winner.

The judges were Damien Cooley from Cooley Auctions, president of REINSW Leanne Pilkington and David Shannon of Searson Shannon and Co.

Elders Real Estate Port Macquarie general manager Robyn Gleeson was very happy to see such a worthy recipient win.

"There is always someone out there who can help, and we are very thankful that we are able to do that and give back to the community for such a worthy cause,” she said. 

“Our director, Dave Gray, came up with the concept. He is always coming up with great ways to help people. He is a very generous guy.

“Anybody who wanted could apply. We were inundated with applicants. There was a criteria and a lot that were shortlisted to go to the panel of outsiders then chose. We are very happy with Lisa as our winner."