1977
The Ballarat Diocesan Family Services (BDFS) 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 foundation of The Ballarat Diocesan Family Services (BDFS).
Fr Michael Linehan led the organisation as Director from 1977 to 1988, at the first office in a residential building in Doveton St, Ballarat.
Sr Rita Hayes of the Ballarat Mercy Order, having significant social welfare experience, provided vital support as second in-charge 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.
Pictured: 1977-78 Annual Report
Fr Michael Linehan led the organisation as Director from 1977 to 1988, at the first office in a residential building in Doveton St, Ballarat.
Sr Rita Hayes of the Ballarat Mercy Order, having significant social welfare experience, provided vital support as second in-charge 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.
Pictured: 1977-78 Annual Report
1980s
Services expand and made available in rural Victoria
Within the first two years, services continued to expand across the diocese with the establishment of the Mildura office in 1979. Outreach services expanded to Hamilton in 1981, Ararat, Stawell, Ouyen, Robinvale & Swan Hill in 1984 and Warrnambool in 1989, as the need for local support was identified.
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.
Terry Ranger became Director in 1989 for three years, then returned to his passion for counselling and offered outreach services to rural communities in Horsham, Ararat, Stawell, Colac, Apollo Bay, Wycheproof, Dooboobetic and Maryborough. He was affectionally known as the ‘travelling ambassador’ of the organisation and developed crucial partnerships with community organisations and parishes to deliver this outreach program; a key feature of how we continue to work today.
Pictured: Mildura office
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.
Terry Ranger became Director in 1989 for three years, then returned to his passion for counselling and offered outreach services to rural communities in Horsham, Ararat, Stawell, Colac, Apollo Bay, Wycheproof, Dooboobetic and Maryborough. He was affectionally known as the ‘travelling ambassador’ of the organisation and developed crucial partnerships with community organisations and parishes to deliver this outreach program; a key feature of how we continue to work today.
Pictured: Mildura office
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).
Employment support expanded significantly and by 1993, the Employment Skills Training Centre addressing growing rural unemployment became it’s own corporate entity.
A significant milestone came in 1998, when Centacare took on the management of Peplow House, a service that still exists today. In 1970s, Fr Gerry Baldock identified a need for a local service to provide a safe haven for men experiencing homelessness in Ballarat. With the support of the Ballarat Council of Churches and local parish communities, the Ballarat City Council and the Department of Social Security, Peplow House was established in 1976.
Employment support expanded significantly and by 1993, the Employment Skills Training Centre addressing growing rural unemployment became it’s own corporate entity.
A significant milestone came in 1998, when Centacare took on the management of Peplow House, a service that still exists today. In 1970s, Fr Gerry Baldock identified a need for a local service to provide a safe haven for men experiencing homelessness in Ballarat. With the support of the Ballarat Council of Churches and local parish communities, the Ballarat City Council and the Department of Social Security, Peplow House was established in 1976.
2000 – 2010
Programs expand, Centacare Housing established
Under David Beaver’s leadership (1993 – 2017), the organisation focused intentionally on addressing the needs of the most disadvantaged in the Ballarat diocese, including those experiencing homelessness, those who were unemployed and those experiencing mental illness. This contributed to the growth of services in Ballarat.
A residential rehabilitation program from young adults with psychiatric illness was established in the Grampians in 2000. Personal Support Program (PSP) established in Ballarat, Mildura and Warrnambool in 2002.
Pomegranate House, a service launched in 2003 supported those living with mental illness, and in 2007, the Family Relationship Centre, which still operates today, opened its doors to families and communities.
Pictured: The Family Relationship Centre’s 5th birthday in 2012.
A residential rehabilitation program from young adults with psychiatric illness was established in the Grampians in 2000. Personal Support Program (PSP) established in Ballarat, Mildura and Warrnambool in 2002.
Pomegranate House, a service launched in 2003 supported those living with mental illness, and in 2007, the Family Relationship Centre, which still operates today, opened its doors to families and communities.
Pictured: The Family Relationship Centre’s 5th birthday in 2012.
2010 – 2021
Centacare Housing established, CatholicCare Victoria is formed
Centacare Housing was established in 2014 to provide safe homes to vulnerable people, and became it’s own entity in 2016.
By 2016, we had expanded our programs to more than 17 locations, providing a broad range of services including youth justice, victim support, employment assistance, and counselling. We had reported 11,253 clients in 2016, a significant increase from 600 clients in 1994.
In 2021, Centacare Ballarat merged with CatholicCare Melbourne and CatholicCare Sandhurst to form CatholicCare Victoria.
Pictured: Centacare staff featured on The Courier, 2015.
By 2016, we had expanded our programs to more than 17 locations, providing a broad range of services including youth justice, victim support, employment assistance, and counselling. We had reported 11,253 clients in 2016, a significant increase from 600 clients in 1994.
In 2021, Centacare Ballarat merged with CatholicCare Melbourne and CatholicCare Sandhurst to form CatholicCare Victoria.
Pictured: Centacare staff featured on The Courier, 2015.
