1943
Social Service Centre opened
1953
Free Legal Aid Service provided at the Social Service Bureau one evening each week by senior law students, supervised by senior qualified members of the University of Melbourne Law School. They give advice and assistance to people who cannot afford legal fees and who are not eligible for assistance from the Public Solicitor.
1955
Social Service Bureau continues to support individual and families in adversity, with people coming from all parts of Melbourne and the majority from the inner suburbs. “It provides a service for people in need, and at the same time keeps a finger on the pulse of the community. When the early symptoms of social ill health become apparent, the Brotherhood, in its historic role as an agency of social action, is ready with an informed and authoritative expression of opinion. This latter role of the Brotherhood, although of necessity it springs directly from the individualised casework, may in the long run prove to be the more significant contribution to the community.
1958
Opening of new Social Service Centre, Fitzroy
Third social worker appointed to the Social Service Bureau
1960
A Social Worker from the Social Service Bureau commenced work in the West Heidelberg area, working in close cooperation with the clergy and other social welfare people in the area
1961
Instead of giving toy parcels at Christmas, the Social Service Bureau organised a sale of second-hand toys “based on the conviction that parents would enjoy buying for their own children if the anxiety about cost could be removed. Accordingly charges were nominal and the toy sales planned to fall on days of Social Service payments or wages. The follow-up study conducted by students in the agency indicated that parents appreciated the new system and it will be repeated” in 1962.
1963
Figures collected by the Social Service Bureau from March-August 1963 show that Fitzroy is the single suburb from which the largest group of clients come, but the BSL is also reaching many in the outer Eastern suburbs (eg Canterbury, Blackburn, Jordanville etc) and in the new northern housing areas (eg Preston, Reservoir)
A record amount of financial aid and grocery orders was given out through the Social Service Bureau (£4,597), in part because “Victoria remains the only State that does not accept responsibility for helping people immediately their earnings cease and the Voluntary Agencies are expected to carry this burden. Of 896 cases seen in the Bureau during the year, 213 were waiting Socia Service benefits”.
1964
Reassessment of the practice and thinking of the Social Service Bureau, given the departure of three social workers to interstate and overseas and the appointment of a Chaplain
1966
The need for emergency accommodation led the Brotherhood to rent a two-storey house in North Fitzroy which was fully occupied through the year, with many applications having to be refused. “The project has demonstrated that emergency housing is an essential provision very much lacking in the welfare facilities of this State. Financial aid to the extent of $13,000 was provided and the (Social Service) Bureau will have to continue meeting this need until more realistic statutory provision is made to meet emergency financial situations and social service benefits are more adequate for certain groups.”
1967
BSL Executive consists of “the Director, Associate Director, Secretary, Chaplain, Director of Research & Social Action and the Manager of St Laurence Park, Lara. … The Social Service Bureau is not represented at (their meetings) except when matters of policy involving the Bureau are discussed. The Senior Social Worker has her own ‘direct line’ to the Director.”
Material relief provided through the BSL’s Social Service Bureau estimated to be $900-$1000 each month, in addition to large amounts of clothing and furniture given both to BSL clients and to other welfare organisations.
1969
Social Service Bureau set up a branch in Broadmeadows
1970
Brotherhood’s Social Service Bureau staff in Broadmeadows work with other organisations in setting up a Broadmeadows Welfare Advisory Committee
1971
Social Service Bureau, Creative Leisure Centre and Youth Centre closed to make way for the radical Family Centre project.
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