The seed of Flourish Australia’s empathetic, person-centred approach is planted.
Breaking ground at a time when mental illness was taboo, a small group of compassionate family and community members came together at Sydney’s Callan Park Hospital to help loved ones enjoy leisure activities and then transition well from hospital to living in their community.
A milestone era for mental health reform and recognition of our hard work behind the scenes.
In the 1960s, Australia studied US and UK mental health services, boosting advocacy for community care and support. In 1963, Queen Elizabeth visited Surry Hills, and Governor Sir Eric Woodward opened our Buckingham site. This milestone led to further sites in Newcastle and Wollongong, and our focus on employment supports.
Times charged with activism and cultural expression stretched our thinking about what supported living looked like.
The 1970s, expanded our vision of supported living. Inspired by New York’s Fountain House, we embraced a holistic, psycho-social model. Our drop-in centres to reduce social isolation, help people develop skills, and be part of their communities.
Getting down to business, and speaking from lived experience.
The 1980s brought innovation and visibility. During Australia’s bicentenary, we made history by featuring a speaker with lived experience at the National Psychiatric Rehabilitation Conference. We launched social enterprises like Buckhouse Graphics and Practical Designs, laying the foundation for Flourish Australia’s community businesses.
Persisting through recession to expansion.
Funding was a constant challenge. Every two steps forward in growth meant a step and a half back financially. By 1992, amid Australia’s recession, we reached crisis point. To survive, we consolidated and cut costs, selling properties to fund new initiatives like the Forest Lodge Youth Hostel in Glebe, and expanding into areas with different needs. We led National Lived Experience Governance initiatives with Janet Meagher AM joining the board.
Shaping our identity for the new millennium.
As the new millennium began, we led major mental health reforms, backed by a strong new brand identity that boosted public recognition and funding. Staff grew from 20 to 120, and our growing reputation attracted major mental health contracts and donations. We added an Executive-level Lived Experience leadership position. We were one of the first organisations to deliver the Housing and Accommodation support initiative.
A Decade of Transformation and Growth
The 2010s were a defining chapter in our journey—marked by strategic evolution, national recognition, and a renewed focus on impact. We strengthened our commitment to recovery-oriented practice, expanded our services, and embraced new ways to demonstrate the value of our work. We grew the Peer Workforce, pioneered National leadership. We expanded into Queensland and established a totally peer work service in Hervey Bay.
Rising Stronger, Giving Back
The 2020s brought immense challenges—from the COVID-19 pandemic to natural disasters across Australia. These events reshaped how we deliver support, prompting rapid innovation in digital tools and remote service delivery.
Amid this, we launched the Flourish Foundation, a major step forward in advocacy and giving. Backed by Australia and dedicated Ambassadors, it expanded our voice and impact in mental health. This decade reflects our strength, adaptability, and enduring commitment to helping people flourish.
