MacKillop Family Services was established in 1997 to continue the services (foster care, residential care and specialised home-based care services) to children, young people and families previously undertaken by the Sisters of Mercy, the Christian Brothers, and the Sisters of St Joseph. It is based in Melbourne, and is a leading provider of services for children, young people and families in Victoria and New South Wales. It is also establishing a presence in Western Australia.
MacKillop Family Services' out-of-home care services provide support and accommodation to children and young people unable to live at home, through residential care, foster care and lead tenant programs. MacKillop Family Services' Community Programs support vulnerable and disadvantaged children, young people and their families through a range of programs and services including education, disability services, family and community services and family relationship services.
MacKillop Family Services' Refugee Services works in partnership with local community organisations to provide assistance and support to asylum seekers who are unaccompanied minors. In addition, MacKillop Family Services' homelessness services in New South Wales support young people who are experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing, homelessness.
1854 - 1857 St Vincent de Paul Orphanage, Prahran
c. 1855 - 1939 St Augustine's Boys' Orphanage
1857 - 1874 St Vincent de Paul Orphanage
c. 1862 - 1912 Our Lady's Orphanage
1857 - 1874 St Vincent de Paul Orphanage
1874 - 1962 St Vincent de Paul's Girls' Orphanage
1901 - 1975 St Joseph's Foundling Hospital
1912 - 1960 St Catherine's Orphanage
c. 1921 - 1943 St Anthony's Children's Home
1939 - 1966 St Augustine's Orphanage
1874 - 1967 St Vincent de Paul Orphanage for Boys
1902 - 1985 St Joseph's Receiving Home
1943 - 1976 St Anthony's Home
1960 - 1975 St Catherine's Children's Home
1962 - 1992 St Vincent de Paul Children's Home
1966 - 1988 St Augustine's Boys' Home
1975 - 1985 St Joseph's Babies' Home
1967 - 1997 St Vincent de Paul Boys' Home
c. 1975 - 1997 Mercy Family Care Centre
1976 - 1997 St Anthony's Family Service
1985 - 1997 St Joseph's Babies' and Family Service
1988 - 1997 St Augustine's Adolescent and Family Services
1992 - 1997 St Vincent de Paul Child and Family Services
1995 - 1997 Christian Brothers' Child Youth and Family Services
1997 - MacKillop Family Services
Sources used to compile this entry: Barnard, Jill; Twigg, Karen, Holding on to Hope: a history of the founding agencies of MacKillop Family Services 1854-1997, Australian Scholarly Publishing, Melbourne, 2004.
Prepared by: Cate O'Neill
Created: 30 January 2009, Last modified: 26 April 2016
Last updated: 7 August 2023
Cite this: https://www.findandconnect.gov.au/ref/vic/biogs/E000004b.htm
First published by the Find & Connect Web Resource Project for the Commonwealth of Australia, 2011
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