1977
The Ballarat Diocesan Family Services founded
To get support the Ballarat community were often travelling two or more hours to Melbourne to visit the Catholic Family Welfare Bureau. The Bishop for Ballarat observed this and prioritised access to local support with The Ballarat Diocesan Family Services (BDFS) was founded.
Fr Michael Linehan, was appointed as Director, after graduating from the first Bachelor of Social Work course, at Melbourne University, in 1977. The first BDFS office occupied the ground floor of a residential building in Doveton St, Ballarat.
Sister Rita Hayes of the Ballarat Mercy Order, having significant social welfare experience, provided vital support to ensure the organisation ran smoothly in its initial years. With a commitment to prevention and early intervention, the agency focused primarily on marriage counselling and marriage preparation to help couples lay strong foundations.
Fr Michael Linehan, was appointed as Director, after graduating from the first Bachelor of Social Work course, at Melbourne University, in 1977. The first BDFS office occupied the ground floor of a residential building in Doveton St, Ballarat.
Sister Rita Hayes of the Ballarat Mercy Order, having significant social welfare experience, provided vital support to ensure the organisation ran smoothly in its initial years. With a commitment to prevention and early intervention, the agency focused primarily on marriage counselling and marriage preparation to help couples lay strong foundations.
1980s
Services expand and made available in rural VIctoria
Outreach services and locations continued to expand to Mildura in 1979, Hamilton in 1981, Ararat, Stawell, Ouyen, Robinvale & Swan Hill in 1984 and Warrnambool in 1989, as the need for local support grew.
Within ten years, the range of services had broadened significantly to include parenting and relationship counselling, family support programs, and programs to support local unemployed youth.
Counselling services were offered to remote communities from Horsham and Apollo Bay, to Dooboobetic, bridging the gap between need and support.
Within ten years, the range of services had broadened significantly to include parenting and relationship counselling, family support programs, and programs to support local unemployed youth.
Counselling services were offered to remote communities from Horsham and Apollo Bay, to Dooboobetic, bridging the gap between need and support.
1990s
BDFS name changes to reflect new services
In the 1990s, Ballarat Diocesan Family Services established its first vision and mission statements, and as it expanded, changed its name to The Ballarat Diocesan Family Welfare Service Inc (1991) and then to Centacare Catholic Diocese of Ballarat (1997).
A significant milestone came in 1998, when Centacare took on the management of Peplow House, a service that still exists today. Peplow House was established to provide a safe haven for men experiencing homelessness, to meet the growing need for crisis accommodation in Ballarat.
A significant milestone came in 1998, when Centacare took on the management of Peplow House, a service that still exists today. Peplow House was established to provide a safe haven for men experiencing homelessness, to meet the growing need for crisis accommodation in Ballarat.
2000 – 2025
Programs expand, Centacare Housing established
Pomegranate House, a service launched in 2003 supported those living with mental illness, and in 2007, the Family Relationship Centre, which still exists today, opened its doors to families and communities.
We expanded our programs, reaching towns from Bacchus Marsh to Swan Hill and Geelong. By 2012, services included youth justice, victims assistance, employment services, and counselling.
In 2013, we proudly partnered with the Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative, deepening our commitment to supporting local Aboriginal people.
Centacare Housing was established in 2014 to provide safe homes to vulnerable people, and became it’s own entity in 2016.
We expanded our programs, reaching towns from Bacchus Marsh to Swan Hill and Geelong. By 2012, services included youth justice, victims assistance, employment services, and counselling.
In 2013, we proudly partnered with the Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative, deepening our commitment to supporting local Aboriginal people.
Centacare Housing was established in 2014 to provide safe homes to vulnerable people, and became it’s own entity in 2016.
