1980s
Building support for families across the Sandhurst region
In 1983, the Bishop of Sandhurst recognised the need to support families and relationships by creating a diocesan organisation dedicated to their support. For two years, a fortnightly outreach counselling service bridged the gap between Melbourne and Bendigo, led by Paul Fogarty and Fr James Brasier (from the Catholic Family Welfare Bureau in Melbourne).
To improve access to counselling support across regional communities, a team of volunteer counsellors were trained in a two-year counselling course, approved by the Attorney General’s Department for Marriage and Family Counsellors. The course was led by the professional guidance of the Catholic Family Welfare Bureau in Melbourne involving Fr Gerry Gallagher, Paul Fogarty, Mary Scarfe, Joe Mayer, and Margaret McHardy – enabling more individuals and families to receive counselling and family support.
Catholic Community and Family Services was formally established in 1986, and the first federal funding for marriage counselling was granted in 1987.
In 1988, we carried forward the legacy of the Good Shepherd Sisters’ Maryfields Centre, supporting women experiencing crisis and disadvantage.
Between 1988 and 1990, counselling support expanded across regional communities including Wodonga, Wangaratta, Shepparton and Echuca.
To improve access to counselling support across regional communities, a team of volunteer counsellors were trained in a two-year counselling course, approved by the Attorney General’s Department for Marriage and Family Counsellors. The course was led by the professional guidance of the Catholic Family Welfare Bureau in Melbourne involving Fr Gerry Gallagher, Paul Fogarty, Mary Scarfe, Joe Mayer, and Margaret McHardy – enabling more individuals and families to receive counselling and family support.
Catholic Community and Family Services was formally established in 1986, and the first federal funding for marriage counselling was granted in 1987.
In 1988, we carried forward the legacy of the Good Shepherd Sisters’ Maryfields Centre, supporting women experiencing crisis and disadvantage.
Between 1988 and 1990, counselling support expanded across regional communities including Wodonga, Wangaratta, Shepparton and Echuca.
1990s
A growing focus on family wellbeing
In 1991, while continuing its focus on supporting families and relationships, it embraced a new identity with the name Centacare, to represent a ‘centre of care’.
Just a year later, in 1992, Centacare received funding from the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department to provide relationship and marriage education support across communities the Bendigo region.
In 1995, an Advisory Board was established and in 1999, the first official Board meeting took place, supporting the continued growth of services across the region.
Fr Gerry Gallagher retired as Director in 1999, and was succeeded by Paul Fogarty, who continued leading the organisation’s work across the region until 2014.
Just a year later, in 1992, Centacare received funding from the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department to provide relationship and marriage education support across communities the Bendigo region.
In 1995, an Advisory Board was established and in 1999, the first official Board meeting took place, supporting the continued growth of services across the region.
Fr Gerry Gallagher retired as Director in 1999, and was succeeded by Paul Fogarty, who continued leading the organisation’s work across the region until 2014.
2000s
Supporting communities through change and challenge
Between 1999 and 2005, Centacare Sandhurst experienced a period of transformational growth, doubling staff numbers and expanding support, responding to the need for broader services for the Sandhurst community. The organisation broadened its focus from marriage and family services to include social services.
In 2000, the ACCESS Program was launched, providing employee wellbeing and counselling support to CEO staff within the Sandhurst Diocese.
By 2001, counselling services had spread across Victoria to include Cobram, Echuca, Wodonga and Shepparton. At the end of the year, the Loddon Mallee Regional Parenting Service was established and was based on a partnership with Centacare Ballarat and Grampians Parent Resource Service. As a result, the Family Support Program was established with an office in Wedderburn.
The organisation redeveloped its vision, mission, and values in 2006, as support continued to grow across the region. In 2008, Centacare co-located at the Family Relationship Centre in Shepparton and launched the Drought Response Teams in Bendigo and Wodonga to support communities experiencing hardship during periods of drought.
When bushfires struck in 2009, Centacare responded with dedicated counselling and community development teams, standing alongside families in times of crisis.
In 2000, the ACCESS Program was launched, providing employee wellbeing and counselling support to CEO staff within the Sandhurst Diocese.
By 2001, counselling services had spread across Victoria to include Cobram, Echuca, Wodonga and Shepparton. At the end of the year, the Loddon Mallee Regional Parenting Service was established and was based on a partnership with Centacare Ballarat and Grampians Parent Resource Service. As a result, the Family Support Program was established with an office in Wedderburn.
The organisation redeveloped its vision, mission, and values in 2006, as support continued to grow across the region. In 2008, Centacare co-located at the Family Relationship Centre in Shepparton and launched the Drought Response Teams in Bendigo and Wodonga to support communities experiencing hardship during periods of drought.
When bushfires struck in 2009, Centacare responded with dedicated counselling and community development teams, standing alongside families in times of crisis.
2010 – 2021
Evolving support for regional Victoria
In 2011, Centacare celebrated 25 years of service in the Sandhurst Diocese. “The strengths of Centacare have been in the people who built the story initially, with the quality of counselling training and clinical supervision, and their commitment to their profession and the community members who used the service,” Paul Fogarty reflected in the 25th Anniversary Publication, 2011.
In 2014, the organisation embraced a new identity as CatholicCare Sandhurst.
By 2020, CatholicCare had grown to serve more communities across Wedderburn, Mildura and Seymour, offering a wide range of services to rural Victoria. These included the Emergency Relief Program, Youth Justice Conferencing, Family Dispute Resolution, School Chaplaincy, Family and Relationship Services, and Parenting Programs.
In 2021, CatholicCare Sandhurst merged with CatholicCare Melbourne and Centacare Ballarat to form CatholicCare Victoria.
In 2014, the organisation embraced a new identity as CatholicCare Sandhurst.
By 2020, CatholicCare had grown to serve more communities across Wedderburn, Mildura and Seymour, offering a wide range of services to rural Victoria. These included the Emergency Relief Program, Youth Justice Conferencing, Family Dispute Resolution, School Chaplaincy, Family and Relationship Services, and Parenting Programs.
In 2021, CatholicCare Sandhurst merged with CatholicCare Melbourne and Centacare Ballarat to form CatholicCare Victoria.
