Every great story begins with people who care. In 1970, a group of passionate citizens in Melbourne’s bayside suburbs came together with a vision: to prevent family breakdown and build stronger communities. What started in a modest home in Beaumaris has grown into a movement that has transformed thousands of lives.
Our journey began with community volunteers and a donated space in Beaumaris. The pioneering family-aid program launched, followed by our first op shop in Black Rock. By 1978, we had grown enough to open our Sandringham office, marking the beginning of a broader community presence.
The 1980s saw us put down permanent roots with our purpose-built centre in Sandringham. Our volunteer handbook captured the spirit and knowledge of our dedicated community members, while innovative programs developed by professional staff began addressing emerging family needs.
Under inspired and capable leadership, we revolutionised our approach to service delivery. Waiting lists became a thing of the past as we found new ways to meet community needs. By 1999, we were supporting over 2,300 children and their families each year and received an Australian Heads of Government Award for the project Families and Violence: a Holistic, Family Centred Approach.
The new millennium brought a deepened focus on community engagement and evidence-based programs. Creating Capable Communities launched, embodying our belief in local solutions for local challenges. Our name changed from Southern Family Life to Family Life, and in 2006, our services expanded to Frankston and Mornington Peninsula following opening of Federal Government Family Relationship Centre (FRC).
A decade of growth and expansion saw us acquire our beloved 199 Bluff Road to be used as a community house. We also launched our Dads in Focus Program and Court Mandated Mens Behavoural Change Groups. By 2019, we had received a third Top 10 NFP ranking for Innovation Performance and received Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Award for Together We Can.
Today, we are one of the largest providers of men’s support services in the country, continuing our commitment to an all-of-family approach to family violence support. Our innovative approach to community engagement was celebrated as we ranked in the Top 10 of the Financial Review BOSS Most Innovative Companies for 2023, thanks to our Community Listening Tour Project. In 2024, we proudly launched our first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), reaffirming our commitment to reconciliation and Indigenous communities. These milestones reflect our ongoing growth and passion for creating positive change in the lives of those we serve.
From our earliest days, volunteers have been the lifeblood of our organisation. They staffed our first reception desk, created our gardens, maintained our buildings, and most importantly, built the connections that make our community strong. Today, this partnership between professionals and volunteers continues to drive our impact.
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