Our History

1983

1983

  • Lunchtime Couples Counselling offered by Volunteer of Women’s Shelter - Theresa O’Brien
  • Catholic Parish invested in the concept and trained more counsellors to support couples

1990

1990

  • Theresa O’Brien (Toowoomba Diocese) & Federal Attorney-General’s Department establish The Marriage & Family Counselling Centre | 68 Lindsay St – Theresa O’Brien formally made the director of the Centre

1992

1992

  • The Marriage & Family Counselling services extended to Warwick & Dalby

1996

1996

  • Relationship Education added to service offerings | Pre-Marriage education, Natural Family Planning, Self Esteem & Anger Management

1997

1997

  • Rebranded as Centacare in line with other Catholic Diocese funded services in QLD
  • South West Queensland Psychology Service established under Centacare to offer Psychology services across Roma, Goondiwindi & Charleville

1998

1998

  • Centacare Employment was established with funding from federal government. This arm of Centacare relocated to 42 Neil St

2001

2001

  • Homestay opened (residential accommodation for homeless high school girls)
  • Collaborated with Toowoomba Base Hospital to offer patient pastoral support

2003

2003

  • Primary Dispute Resolution services added to growing programs of Centacare
  • Drought counselling offered across South West Queensland including Toowoomba, Roma, Charleville and Goondiwindi.
  • Centacare Employment collaborated with St. Vincent de Paul and Mission Australia on a Work for Dole program

2004

2004

  • Centacare, in conjunction with the Catholic Social Justice Commission established TRAMS (Toowoomba Refugee And Migrant Support)| located at St Patrick’s Cathedral Kindergarten (included creche run by volunteers)
  • Community Settlement Service also developed to support settlement of Migrants & Refugees in Toowoomba
  • Centacare became the sponsoring body for the Community Justice Group tasked with offering a range of indigenous youth activities. | Whaddup was created.
  • Services offered within the mediation space
  • Centacare supported & hosted a series of NAIDOC week events

2005

2005

  • Centacare with Anglicare, St. Vincent de Paul and QPASTT were successful in obtaining 5 years funding for Integrated Humanitarian Settlement Services (IHSS) to support Refugees arriving in Australia
  • Drought counselling offered for our Southwest Clients
  • Additional federal funding grew Centacare’s Separated Parents counselling and mediation support services throughout SWQ?

2007

2007

  • Collaboration with Catholic Education (Toowoomba Diocese) to offer student and family referral counselling
  • Barry Sheehan became Centacare Director
  • Centacare Council/Board formed

2008

2008

  • Centacare became a registered Family Relationship Centre offering tailored mediation services to separated parents
  • Early intervention programs were introduced to develop healthy family relationships

2010

2010

Murri Court commenced linking First Nations defendants to culture and services to help them make positive changes and stop offending

2012

2012

  • Merge CJG, Counselling and FRC into the one office | 146 Herries St

2014

2014

  • Geoff Argus appointed as new Director
  • New program developed - South West Partners in Recovery following additional funding

2015

2015

  • Moved office to reside at 502 Ruthven St

2016

2016

  • Kate Venables appointed as new Director
  • Corporate Leadership Team was formed as an overall steering group for the organisation
  • Centacare rebranded to be CatholicCare Social Services
  • Governor General, Peter Cosgrove visit to TRAMS
  • Moved TRAMS into 502 Ruthven St to have all Tba programs within the one location
  • Child Inclusive Family Dispute Resolution made available to separated parents working through mediation

2017

2017

  • Information Communication Technology team formed & transitioned CatholicCare to the Cloud
  • CatholicCare collaborated with local legal firms to offer Legally Assisted Family Dispute Resolution
  • Legally Assisted Family Dispute Resolution commenced and the first FRC to offer these services
  • Future Families funding for CALD & First Nations Peoples

2018

2018

  • New Funding resulted in the growth of a number of Programs to support…..
  • First Nations - Women connecting with community and culture (commitment of Murri Court- deadly sistas)
  • WhichWay - bringing community youth together connecting through holidays programs that are culturally appropriate
  • Our Yarning Circle designed and built in our Southern Garden (Fred)
  • YUMBIN Team created including CJG, WHADDUP and support of young people on bail (not reoffending – through programs and community connection)
  • Refugees - Muster and BLESS funding increased TRAMS service offering
  • Community Engagement to support young Future Business Leaders… what did we offer?

2019

2019

  • Connected in with the Family Law Pathways Network to strengthen legal partnerships for our FRC
  • Partners in Recovery transitioned to Psychosocial Support in Rural and Remote SWQ
  • Property Mediation offered to Separating couples.
  • Rollout of Big Buddy and mentorship program within State schools in Toowoomba for First Nations students
  • Youth program continued to grow

2020

2020

  • COVID – Transitioned our services to online with all staff working from home in March
  • Development of unique subcontracting model for South West Queensland, working with community leaders and influencers (CSF)
  • Large Pod Working area refurbished to comply with new health guidelines

2021

2021

  • Increased support of First Nations community through collaboration with Dept of Community & SPER to reduce SPER Debts
  • Youth Program (under YUMBIN team) gained more funding to support at risk young people (CHOICE, CHANGE)
  • Development of DQW a bridging program connecting migrants with employment opportunities
  • Significant growth resulted in the development of the Deputy Director position along with internalizing a marketing position
  • Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce – Employer of Choice Finalist

2022

2022

  • Development of SQW (Skilling Queenslanders for Work) Traineeship program in partnership with local RTO
  • New refurbished reception opened
  • Executive Leadership Team (ELT) established to steer the Strategic direction of CatholicCare
  • The BRC (Business Resilience Centre) established as a social enterprise for greater support for the local business community

2023

2023

  • CatholicCare celebrates the significant milestone of 40 years in Business
  • Establishment of the Operational Leadership Team (OLT) to support operational goals of CatholicCare
  • Youth Team created with significant funding increase (IBI funding added to YBS)
  • FRC awarded Project of the Year for Legally Assisted FDR
  • CatholicCare invests in their staff through the embarking on the big lap of the Southwest with 44 Staff | St George, Cunnamulla, Charleville, Roma
  • Announcement of the sale of 502 Ruthven street office and preparation commences for the move to new office, 146
  • Mort Street.

2024

2024

  • TRAMS celebrates the significant milestone of 20 years in Business
  • Move to new building | 146 Mort St