1935
A new approach to supporting families
In the shadow of the Great Depression, Norma and Connie (pictured above) witnessed a heart-wrenching reality; countless children entering Catholic institutions due to their families’ financial struggle and the lack of the most basic necessities — food, shelter, and clothing.
Determined to make a difference in Melbourne, and influenced by their belief in family unity, Norma and Connie presented a proposal for a coordinated service to Archbishop Mannix, culminating in the establishment of the Catholic Social Services Bureau in 1935.
“The cardinal principal involving all modern welfare work, is that if (the family) can provide adequate care, the home into which a child is born is the place to bring them up. Their home is their right,” Connie reflected.
The Bureau’s social workers worked closely with families to help children remain safely at home wherever possible, providing practical support and alternatives to institutional care. This approach set a precedent for a holistic approach to supporting families and is the foundation for family services at CCV and throughout Australia.
Determined to make a difference in Melbourne, and influenced by their belief in family unity, Norma and Connie presented a proposal for a coordinated service to Archbishop Mannix, culminating in the establishment of the Catholic Social Services Bureau in 1935.
“The cardinal principal involving all modern welfare work, is that if (the family) can provide adequate care, the home into which a child is born is the place to bring them up. Their home is their right,” Connie reflected.
The Bureau’s social workers worked closely with families to help children remain safely at home wherever possible, providing practical support and alternatives to institutional care. This approach set a precedent for a holistic approach to supporting families and is the foundation for family services at CCV and throughout Australia.
1940s – 1960s
Supporting families through a changing Melbourne
Connie Moffit’s successor, Teresa Wardell, a registered nurse with a social studies background, led the organisation as Executive Secretary from 1937 to 1947.
Connie, Norma and Teresa, together helped shape and expand family and social support services across the Melbourne Archdiocese during a period of significant social change.
From 1945 to 1970, qualified social worker Rev E. G. Perkins led the organisation through a time of growing community need following post-war migration and the lasting impacts of war on individuals and families. During this period, counselling and family support services expanded in response to Melbourne’s changing communities.
In 1956, the Catholic Social Services Bureau became the Catholic Family Welfare Bureau, reflecting an increasing focus on supporting children, families and relationships.
From 1959, the Bureau supported adoption services in partnership with the Sisters of St Joseph.
In 1960, the Catholic Family Welfare Bureau was formally recognised by the Commonwealth Government as an authorised Marriage Counselling Organisation.
Pictured: Emergency Housing staff in the Catholic Family Welfare Bureau van.
Connie, Norma and Teresa, together helped shape and expand family and social support services across the Melbourne Archdiocese during a period of significant social change.
From 1945 to 1970, qualified social worker Rev E. G. Perkins led the organisation through a time of growing community need following post-war migration and the lasting impacts of war on individuals and families. During this period, counselling and family support services expanded in response to Melbourne’s changing communities.
In 1956, the Catholic Social Services Bureau became the Catholic Family Welfare Bureau, reflecting an increasing focus on supporting children, families and relationships.
From 1959, the Bureau supported adoption services in partnership with the Sisters of St Joseph.
In 1960, the Catholic Family Welfare Bureau was formally recognised by the Commonwealth Government as an authorised Marriage Counselling Organisation.
Pictured: Emergency Housing staff in the Catholic Family Welfare Bureau van.
1970s
Growing support beyond metropolitan Melbourne
Under the leadership of Fr James Brasier from 1970 – 1984, support services expanded into regional locations across Melbourne in response to growing community need.
We began opening regional offices in Geelong (1972), Dandenong (1973), Footscray (1974), and Ringwood (1979), as a commitment to bring support closer to families and communities in need.
In 1973, Fr Gerard Dowling (pictured) reached the airwaves through the Family Counsellor Radio Program, offering comfort and guidance to countless listeners. He became the voice and face of CFWB for decades.
By 1974, our Marriage Guidance Counselling Services expanded, made possible by the dedication of Volunteer Trained Counsellors, who were passionate about strengthening relationships and thus, families.
Pictured: Fr Gerard Dowling
We began opening regional offices in Geelong (1972), Dandenong (1973), Footscray (1974), and Ringwood (1979), as a commitment to bring support closer to families and communities in need.
In 1973, Fr Gerard Dowling (pictured) reached the airwaves through the Family Counsellor Radio Program, offering comfort and guidance to countless listeners. He became the voice and face of CFWB for decades.
By 1974, our Marriage Guidance Counselling Services expanded, made possible by the dedication of Volunteer Trained Counsellors, who were passionate about strengthening relationships and thus, families.
Pictured: Fr Gerard Dowling
1980s
Strengthening support for children and schools
In 1984, Archbishop Frank Little appointed the first Board of Management, and John Bushell was appointed to lead as Executive Director from 1984 to 2000, marking a new focus into schools, the heart of a community.
Two years later, in 1986, we launched the first Family Week campaign in Catholic primary schools, a fundraising and education campaign that has been running in both primary schools and high schools annually since.
Our commitment to supporting young people at schools deepened with the establishment of the School Counselling Unit in 1989, in partnership with the Catholic Education Office.
Pictured: Family Week celebrations at a school.
Two years later, in 1986, we launched the first Family Week campaign in Catholic primary schools, a fundraising and education campaign that has been running in both primary schools and high schools annually since.
Our commitment to supporting young people at schools deepened with the establishment of the School Counselling Unit in 1989, in partnership with the Catholic Education Office.
Pictured: Family Week celebrations at a school.
1990 – 2000s
Expanding support for families and communities
In 1994, Cabrini Centacare in Malvern established in collaboration between Cabrini Hospital and Catholic Family Welfare Bureau to reach more vulnerable people through counselling services.
To reflect our growing mission, the Catholic Family Welfare Bureau changed its name in 1998 to Centacare Catholic Family Services.
By 2000, Mary of the Cross Drug and Alcohol Centre integrated into Centacare, offering families affected by addiction compassionate and non-judgemental support.
Under Fr Joe Caddy’s (pictured) leadership from 2004 to 2017, the Refugee and Settlement Program launched in 2005, offering settlement support to those starting anew in Australia. These services expanded further with employment services and cross cultural parenting programs.
In 2006, Pastoral Services including the Prison Ministry, Healthcare Chaplaincy, Youth Justice and our HIV/AIDS Ministry, came under Centacare, offering crucial support to very vulnerable community members.
The Geelong Family Relationship Centre (FRC), Family Dispute Resolution, Parenting Orders Program and the Victorian Family Law Pathways Network commenced in 2007 through a grant from the Attorney General’s Department.
Following the ‘Black Saturday’ bushfires of 2009, a bushfire community recovery service, supported by the Archbishop’s Charitable Fund, offered counselling, community development and activities to affected communities for several years.
Pictured: Fr Joe Caddy, 2006.
To reflect our growing mission, the Catholic Family Welfare Bureau changed its name in 1998 to Centacare Catholic Family Services.
By 2000, Mary of the Cross Drug and Alcohol Centre integrated into Centacare, offering families affected by addiction compassionate and non-judgemental support.
Under Fr Joe Caddy’s (pictured) leadership from 2004 to 2017, the Refugee and Settlement Program launched in 2005, offering settlement support to those starting anew in Australia. These services expanded further with employment services and cross cultural parenting programs.
In 2006, Pastoral Services including the Prison Ministry, Healthcare Chaplaincy, Youth Justice and our HIV/AIDS Ministry, came under Centacare, offering crucial support to very vulnerable community members.
The Geelong Family Relationship Centre (FRC), Family Dispute Resolution, Parenting Orders Program and the Victorian Family Law Pathways Network commenced in 2007 through a grant from the Attorney General’s Department.
Following the ‘Black Saturday’ bushfires of 2009, a bushfire community recovery service, supported by the Archbishop’s Charitable Fund, offered counselling, community development and activities to affected communities for several years.
Pictured: Fr Joe Caddy, 2006.
2010s – 2021
Building more connected support across Victoria
In 2010, CatholicCare Victoria Tasmania (CCVT) is formed to better serve communities and secure vital government support.
A year later, in 2011, we changed our name to CatholicCare, reflecting our mission to supporting disadvantaged people from all walks of life, with care.
In 2012, in partnership with Australian Catholic University, the Clemente Fitzroy Program offered a supportive pathway to university study for those facing disadvantage.
A year later, in 2013, CatholicCare began management of Centacare Gippsland for the diocese of Sale. A program supporting asylum seekers began assisting those ineligible for mainstream services, while waiting for their visa determination.
The Eltham project launched in 2016, a collaboration between CatholicCare and St Vincent’s Health Australia (SVHA), supporting refugees from Syria and Iraq located in SVHA’s aged care facility, with housing and settlement.
By 2017, our presence stretched across Melbourne, Geelong, Eltham, Melton, Wyndham, Dandenong and Gippsland, bringing support to the communities through a range of family and community services, relationship counselling and school counselling services.
In 2021, CatholicCare Melbourne merged with Centacare Gippsland, Centacare Ballarat and CatholicCare Sandhurst to form CatholicCare Victoria.
Pictured: Senior Managers on the 2020 Annual Report.
A year later, in 2011, we changed our name to CatholicCare, reflecting our mission to supporting disadvantaged people from all walks of life, with care.
In 2012, in partnership with Australian Catholic University, the Clemente Fitzroy Program offered a supportive pathway to university study for those facing disadvantage.
A year later, in 2013, CatholicCare began management of Centacare Gippsland for the diocese of Sale. A program supporting asylum seekers began assisting those ineligible for mainstream services, while waiting for their visa determination.
The Eltham project launched in 2016, a collaboration between CatholicCare and St Vincent’s Health Australia (SVHA), supporting refugees from Syria and Iraq located in SVHA’s aged care facility, with housing and settlement.
By 2017, our presence stretched across Melbourne, Geelong, Eltham, Melton, Wyndham, Dandenong and Gippsland, bringing support to the communities through a range of family and community services, relationship counselling and school counselling services.
In 2021, CatholicCare Melbourne merged with Centacare Gippsland, Centacare Ballarat and CatholicCare Sandhurst to form CatholicCare Victoria.
Pictured: Senior Managers on the 2020 Annual Report.
