Meli is an organisation created in April 2023, following a merger of Bethany and Barwon Child Youth & Family (BCYF). Meli’s office in Hamlyn Heights (Geelong) is on the former site of the Geelong Female Refuge, established in 1868, and Bethany Babies’ Home (1928-1977). BCYF’s originated with the Geelong Orphan Asylum (established 1854), later known…
OPAL House, in South Brisbane, was operated by the One People of Australia League (OPAL). It was Brisbane’s first purpose-designed hostel for homeless Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. OPAL House in Russell Street was purchased by the Queensland government in 1962. In 1985, the building in Russell Street was demolished and the remaining 16…
St John’s Home for Boys Board of Management was established by the Synod of the Church of England Diocese of Melbourne in 1926. The St John’s Board of Management took over the running of St John’s Home for Boys from a provisional committee set up by the Church of England in 1919. In 1958, its…
The Child and Family Care Network came into being around 1986. It was known previously as the Burwood Children’s Home. The Network offered child and family welfare and educational programs. In 1996, it shifted its focus to children’s services and early intervention. In 2006, it changed its name to bestchance Child Family Care. The Child…
North East Foster Care was established in around 1976. It was jointly auspiced by the Anglican Diocesan Mission to the Streets and Lanes and St John’s Homes for Boys and Girls. From 1989, North East Foster Care’s Greensborough office was auspiced by the Mission to the Streets and Lanes, and the Preston office remained under…
The South Western Community Care Association Inc. was formed in 1991, through the amalgamation of Glenelg Foster Care, Currawong House Hamilton, South Western Tenant Support Services and Warrnambool Community Legal Aid Service. From 1991 to 1995, South Western Community Care Association was auspiced by Lutheran Children’s Homes. In 1998, the organisation changed its name to…
In 1998 the Copelen Child and Family Services renamed Copelen. In 2000 it amalgamated with Wheelers Hill Family Centre and the Canterbury Family Centre to create the new organisation Connections UnitingCare.
Kilmany UnitingCare has major outlets in the Gippsland region of Victoria, including in the towns of Bairnsdale, Sale and Leongatha. Kilmany UnitingCare provides community based services including foster care, family counselling, family day care, youth work, family support and financial counselling. It was formerly known as Kilmany Family Care. In July 2010 this agency changed…
The Salvation Army Westcare came into being in around 1980. With support from the Department of Community Welfare Services (DCWS), Westcare established residential units for children and young people in the western region of Melbourne. The Salvation Army Westcare ran residential care units for young people until 2018 when the Department of Health and Human…
Abercare Family Services was formed in 1981. Its name reflects its connection with the Aberfeldie Baptist Church. Abercare was a provider in temporary foster care in the western suburbs from the early 1980s. In 2009, Abercare Family Services changed its name and became known as Baptcare’s family services division.