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About Us History
The centre that you see today had its humble beginnings in St. Vincent's Hall in Nicholson Street, Fitzroy. Here, the Daughters of Charity ran a Hostel for young country girls who were working in Melbourne.
Times were very hard with little work and even less cheap accommodation. Many men were sleeping in parks and wearing the same clothes day after day. Unemployment benefits were not available and many individuals and families were struggling. The Daughters responded to this situation by handing out food parcels from St. Vincent's Hall and St. Anne's in Carlton (another hostel). The Daughters did what they could but it was becoming obvious that the people needed better care.
In 1958 a local resident, Ms Mary Dougherty, left the Daughters a legacy of 2,000 pounds for the purpose of setting up a meal centre in Fitzroy. A property at 167 Brunswick Street was for sale at 5,300 pounds. The legacy helped pay for the deposit, but the Daughters needed to raise the rest of the money to finalise the purchase.
Fr Kevin Ryan, Parish Priest of Fitzroy, undertook a public appeal to raise the needed funds. His one condition was that he could use the Daughters for publicity and photographs. The public appeal was launched through the Herald in July 1958. The response to the appeal was extraordinary and donations of money and goods poured in. Fr Ryan formed a committee with Mr. Bert Blunden (a local resident), and the YCW boys and the girls from the hostels assisted them. Two local newsagents donated paper and envelopes. Typewriters were borrowed and 6,000 letters were sent out to people whose names were obtained from the telephone book.
The response to the appeal was wonderful. The day after the appeal was launched, there were 500 pounds of donations in the Daughters' letter box. Ultimately, 10,700 pounds were raised. For some years after the appeal people would continue to send donations.
In December 1961 Mr. Bert Blunden offered his property at 165 Brunswick Street for sale at a low cost. This offer was gratefully accepted, as additional space was badly needed. A new dining room was set up - where the current dining room is now!
The money raised enabled the Daughters to purchase 167 Brunswick Street and set up a soup kitchen. Lunch consisting of soup, sandwiches and tea was served each day. On the first day over 90 people were served. There were plenty of people who helped out in many ways in those early days. A number of stores donated bread and other food regularly and some volunteers would go out to pick up these donations. A group of volunteers started an Auxiliary, which worked to raise money for St. Mary's.
During 1965 the Opportunity Shop was started by Mrs. Frances O'Brien using part of 165 Brunswick Street. The shop provided low cost clothing to the people who came to the Centre. This service grew and the shop moved a number of times over the years until closing down in 1999.
The centre was in urgent need of space as the service kept growing. In 1982, the Daughters purchased 169 Brunswick Street, thereby combining 165, 167 and 169 Brunswick Street. Over the years many improvements and changes have been made to the building to ensure better facilities and services.
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“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.”
- Mother Teresa
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