About us

Contact us

Good Shepherd is located at four sites:

117 Johnston Street, Collingwood, 3066. Telephone. (03) 9419 5477 Fax.(03) 9416 2340. >

Email:goodshep@infoxchange.net.au

1 Church Street, Hastings, 3915. Telephone. (03) 5979 4443; Facsimile (03) 5979 4432 >

Email:goodshep@peninsula.starway.net.au

354 Main Road West, St. Albans , 3021. Telephone (03) 9364 2300; Fax (03) 9364 3733 >

Email:gsyfs@mail.teksupport.net.au

Suite 5/22-28 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, 3182. Tel. (03) 9537 1416; Fax: (03) 9525 4829.

What We Are On About . . .

Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service works side by side with people who are disadvantaged or oppressed in any way.

We provide a range of services from family counselling to supported accommodation for the homeless; from ‘no interest’ loans to teenage foster care; and from financial counselling to emergency housing for victims of domestic violence . . . all of these services are free, and available from our centres located in Collingwood, St Kilda, St Albans and Hastings.

We believe that everyone, regardless of age, sex, culture or religion, has the right to adequate income and shelter, opportunities for education and employment, quality health care and nutrition, and that everyone should be treated with dignity and respect.

A desire for social justice and a deep and genuine concern for people is characteristic of our work.

Good Shepherd will not compromise its core values, and will always endeavour to:

·Provide quality services;

·Influence policy through research and through advocating on behalf of those with whom we work;

·Involve those who use our service, in the planning and management of the Agency;

·Inform the community of the various social issues affecting them;

·Listen to the community’s needs and respond appropriately;

·Participate in the lives of local communities;

·Work cooperatively with other organisations and groups in the development and coordination of effective services and strategies to bring about positive social change; and

·Ensure our services are culturally relevant, recognising and respecting different lifestyles, attitudes, religions and values within the community.

From our Chairperson...

Values need to be lived to be real. Values cannot simply be words or ideas or dreams. They need to come to life and actively influence decision making and actions. Good Shepherd believes that our values should be able to be seen in the work that we do.

Good Shepherd’s commitment to Social Justice is grounded in belief and respect for each individual. We must however do more than respond to the symptoms we see, and we must do far more than react to the environment around us.

It is not the words alone of an agency that bring about change, but the actions that accompany these words. While Good Shepherd has been strongly protesting against injustices, we have also taken action. The stories in the 1999 Annual Report are from the heart of our work and they show how, in times of increasing despair and Government control, Good Shepherd provides hope and makes a real difference.

The 1999 Annual Report captures the spirit and passion of the Agency’s work. The pictures and stories are testament to the living mission statements that guide, inform and influence all our work. The report highlights not only what we do, but also provides a glimpse of how we do that work.

So many warm words nowadays are used in descriptions that hide stark realities and reforms. It is a pleasure to record some thanks and warm words for all those who have helped Good Shepherd throughout the year. Michael Yore continues to lead with passion and encouragement. Staff and volunteers work with commitment and compassion; balancing care for the individual with the challenges of the bigger picture and structures. We thank too, those who support us with donations- such generosity helps us maintain our independent voice, and creativity.

Good Shepherd is committed to working with the community beyond market forces and formulas. We believe the individual is important and values are lived, not restricted to paper documents. We invite you to join us in our work, and look forward to the difference this will make.

Jacinta Lithgow

Our History

Good Shepherd Sisters arrived in Melbourne from Angers, France on the 24th June 1863, at the request of the bishop of Melbourne, James Goold. The four Irish born sisters belonged to a French order founded in 1835 by St. Mary Euphrasia with the mission of providing protection for socially disadvantaged women and children. They purchased a house and property on the banks of the Yarra known as Abbotsford and by 1865 were providing a refuge for women experiencing problems with homelessness and poverty, an orphanage for children and an industrial school, where female juvenile offenders were assisted with accommodation and training for future employment. Despite early difficulties the work expanded and branches were established in Oakleigh, South Melbourne, Bendigo and eventually across Australia and New Zealand.

World social change in the 1960s and the 1970s, and the effects of the Second Vatican Council, led the Sisters to adopt a policy of deinstitutionalisation in 1973. Hostel accommodation was provided for the girls and women and non-residential services, such as youth and family counselling and tutoring for school truants, were developed. In 1976 Good Shepherd Youth and Family Service was established with the additional services of emergency housing for families and the No Interest Loans Scheme. The office located to Collingwood. A research project which identified areas of social need on the Peninsula and in the western suburbs subsequently led to the establishment of branches in Hastings,St. Albans as well as St. Kilda, which specialises in services to women.

Today GSYFS has a staff of 65 full-time and part-time workers, and a volunteer support network.