Our website is currently undergoing some changes.
Forgive us if there is anything you cannot find, and please feel free to contact the office on (03) 5572 3035 during office hours.
Forgive us if there is anything you cannot find, and please feel free to contact the office on (03) 5572 3035 during office hours.
20 November 1953 - A meeting was held in the Hamilton Town Hall where it was decided that a centre for "Intellectually handicapped children" should be commenced in Hamilton. This meeting took place as a result of the forming of a Provisional Committee at an earlier public meeting at which Dr Cunningham Dax of the Mental Hygiene Authority had been a guest speaker.
6 June 1955 - The name Mulleraterong was accepted by the committee as the name of the new Centre
14 June 1955 - The work of the Centre commenced under the leadership of Miss E. M. Francis in the Methodist Church Sunday School Hall.
20 June 1955 - The official opening of the Centre at the Methodist Church Sunday School Hall with Dr Cunningham Dax as guest speaker.
August - September 1955 - A Queen carnival organized by the Apex Club of Hamilton was held during which an amount of approximately £5300 was raised.
The final night of the carnival was run by the Younger set in the Hamilton Town Hall and the proceeds of the night were shared between the various queens.
3 October 1955 - The site of the new building in Alexandra Parade was approved.
10 May 1956 - The Ladies Auxiliary was formed.
23 May 1958 - The turning of the first sod by the Mayor, at that time Councillor R. D. J. Brown.
16 March 1959 - The first classes were conducted in the new Centre.
1961 Mrs. Cottrill was appointed as Supervisor and Miss Sandra Herrmann was appointed as assistant as a result of Mrs. Cullinane’s resignation. Mrs. Cullinane had been supervisor for 5 years.
Sergeant McDonald and officers of the Hamilton Police Station volunteered to take over the maintenance of the playing areas and outside surrounds.
1962 “Sheltered Workshop” activities were introduced for the senior students. Activities such as silverware polishing and the preparing of plastic bobbins for the Warrnambool Woollen Mills were undertaken.
1963 Increased enrolments necessitated the drawing up of draft plans for extensions to the building.
1964 Extensions to the building were completed and equipment was purchased to cater for the senior students
A school bus service with Portland was introduced
Mrs Cottrill and the students formed a Junior Red Cross Branch, believed to be the first of its type
1965 The need for city accommodation for the isolated country children is an issue that had been claiming the Committees attention. Previous approaches to Dr Dax, the chairman of the Mental Health Authority had been unsuccessful on policy grounds
1966 The Centre put forward a motion to the Victorian Council for Mentally Retarded Children which read: “That the Victorian Council for Mentally Retarded Children request the Mental Health Authority to assume complete responsibility for the salaries of all teachers employed in Registered Day Training Centres”.
1967 In June the Kyeema Centre opened in Portland resulting in a reduction of students attending the Centre from 34 to 26
1968 The Hamilton Apex Club painted the outside of the Centre. A mammoth task for which the committee was most grateful as financial constraints meant a reduction in money available for maintenance.
Staff numbers were reduced in April but despite this wages still increased due to increases in award rates.
A greater reliance on donations and fundraising was becoming a key component of Centre funds.
1969 Funding continues to be an issue and if it was not for a substantial donation from Rotary, the budget would have been in deficit.
1970 The State Government agreed to pay all of the teachers wages leaving the Centre in a more secure financial position.
1971 Students from the Centre competed for the first time in the combined sports of the Western District Centres at Terang where all had an enjoyable and successful day.
1972 Some students attended a Methodist Youth camp at Narrawong
1973 A new craft wing was completed to cater for the senior students where they could take part in more mature activities.
1974 Some senior students commence assisting with the delivery of Meals on Wheels
The Craft wing was being well used with students undertaking various tasks such as the assembly of clothes pegs, packaging of twist drills, making toys and educational equipment and duplicating
1975 The Technical School installed a trampoline and started work on the adventure playground
1976 Thanks to Rotary, an Adventure Playground was completed.
An application to the Schools Commission for a “housed and heated ten metre by five metre swimming pool” was made
Ability Press of Melbourne donated a new printing press.
A committee of parents was formed to look at building hostel accommodation and an approach to the Housing Commission was to be made
1977 Ten senior students spent several days in Melbourne where they stayed at the Y.M.C.A. and visited the Museum, Fitzroy Gardens and went to the Sound of Music. This was a very successful trip and was a first for quite a few of them
A three day camp was held at Nelson for the younger students and this too was a success.
1978 (From the 24th Annual Report) “During November a group of adults from Mulleraterong shared an exciting experience with others of the S.W. region. A Communication Conference for adult retarded persons was held at Nelson and for three days they were given the opportunity to talk about themselves, their programmes, their handicaps, interests, and their place in the in the community etc. Hopefully in the future more opportunities will be available to these persons to speak for themselves”
The new heated pool opens for use
1979 In March the Centre hosted the annual regional sports meeting at which 6 Centres competed at Melville Oval in a day of competitive sports and new
games.
1980 After many years of effort, the Centre received funding and subsidies to establish a residence. After a suitable existing house could not be found a block of land at Lot 2 Rippon Rd priced at $26,500 was found
1981 The Activity Therapy Centre was officially open by the Health Minister Mr. W Borthwick.
The residence at Rippon Rd was completed and furnished with the generous help of the Lions club who also donated
funds to assist with the staffing of the residence.
1982 The Centre’s main excursion for the year was a week long camp at Dean’s Marsh in the Otways where students went horse riding. On other excursions two students went to Queensland on a camping holiday, some attended a Vivaldi concert at The Great Hall of The National Gallery and others competed and won ribbons in the sports day at Colac.
1983 The Caledonian Hotel Social Club constructed a covered walkway between the school and the heated pool
1984 Student numbers reach 52 with 20 of these in the school section and the rest in the Activity Therapy Unit. Some students attend classes in mainstream education facilities and kindergartens and a small group attends TAFE
1985 Mulleraterong Bingo Association began on May 11th and ran bingo games and sold lucky envelopes at what used to be the Hamilton Hotel across from the Post Office. Later the Hamilton Hotel became the Baptist Church and Bingo moved to the Centre.
1986 Some of the young men at the Centre participated in a holiday on the Murray River. They spent several days and caught plenty of carp
1987 A two-day language conference at the Golf Club was successfully catered for by some students.
The year culminated in a trip to see “Cats”
1988 Our netball team was unbeaten during the Glenelg Games.
1989 This was the first year the Centre operated solely as an adult unit though we still shared the building with the Special Development School.
1990 Long standing Director, Pat Shiells resigned due to illness and Debra King was appointed as Director.
The netball team again won gold at the Glenelg Games
1991 Artists from the Centre participated in several art projects during the year including the “Way Out West” exhibition held in Thompson's Plaza and the Drama/Music Project sponsored by the Ministry for the Arts
1992 This year the SDS departed to their new premises in Kerr St leaving the whole building for us. The extra space we acquired was soon utilized giving us room to operate more effectively.
The Green Machine garden maintenance crew took delivery of their new work van and the program was extended to run 5 days per week
1993 The woodwork program moved into other premises in Carmichael St sharing a larger building with SkillShare.
Participants participated in a Debutante Ball
1994 Major repairs to the heated pool meant having it closed for an extended period but the new look pool was welcomed by all who use it.
1995 This was the 40th year the Centre had been operating.
Participants flew with “Biggles” in his Tiger Moth over Hamilton. Some even managed to survive some aerobatics!
1996 Several participants went fishing on Portland Bay and were lucky enough to have the haddock biting well. Lots were caught and the staff and boat owner were kept busy baiting and re-baiting hooks.
Centre-provided transport ceased giving participants the opportunity to increase their independence.
1997 The premises at 90 French St were bought in May and we spent a lot of time cleaning it out and building an office and renovating the toilets etc. Everyone had a ball doing this as did the gardening group who were busily preparing new garden beds at the rear of the building.
1998 The official opening of the Workshop and Garden complex in French St provided participants with a more modern and spacious environment in which to work.
Two Centre artists, Margie Watson and Diane Ryan had paintings exhibited at the National Gallery of Victoria in the “A” Exhibition.
1999 Several participants including Brett and Peter assisted local land care groups undertake tree planting near Glenthompson.
2000 Some participants and staff participated in the “Yes” Exhibition and concert at the Hamilton PAC. This was an outstanding success
with some participants overcoming personal hurdles to achieve solo performances.
2001 The commissioning of the new change rooms and foyer for our swimming pool.
2002 The building of a new nursery shed to house the growing number of native and exotic plants propagated during the Potstop Nursery Program.
Participation of the “Inside Out - Our Community” project which involved the printing and displaying of photographic works of participants from the Centre.
Several artists from the Centre also had some art work hung at the Warrnambool Art Gallery. Some were rewarded with their works being sold.
The Centre structure was changed and a Chief Executive Officer was appointed.
2003 The Centre offered some new programs to the participants. The Independent Living Program, Adventure Activities program and a revamped Physical Activities Program offered participants some new and exciting options.
2004 The commencement of a planning stage to look at the possible renovation of the Centre to better suit our growing needs.
2005 The Pathways Pilot Program and a Community Inclusion Pilot Project enabled the Centre to place several participants in the community in work experience or volunteer placements.
An All Abilities Advocacy group was established to allow participants to participate in decision making and be involved in the Centre and planning for the future.
2006 The Growth of our Community Inclusion Program provided the opportunity for seventeen participants to have a supported work or volunteer placement in Hamilton businesses and organizations.
2007 Continuing progress will include development of a Strategic Plan and conducting Community Consultation to Strengthen the Centre’s Community Purpose in line with the State Disability Plan 2002 - 2012.
2007/2008 A new roof was installed on the Hydrotherapy Pool and Terry Hurley celebrated 20 years in January of 2008.
The Community Inclusion Program was a finalist in the Powercor Ace Radio Southern Grampians Shire Business Awards.
Barbara Harnden was a finalist in the Employee of the Year category of the Powercor Ace Radio Southern Grampians Shire Business Awards.
Individual Program Plans changed to Individual Support Plans with the implementation of new Disability Service Standards.
Clients presented “Community Inclusion in a Country Town” at the Having a Say Conference.
Peter Gilbert received the Rotary Pride of Workmanship Award.
Ashley Shepherd and Judy Johnson served on the Planning and Inclusion Committee of the Southern Grampians Disability Support Group and enlisted their support to lobby the SGSC to install a pedestrian crossing at Mulleraterong.
Nerida Kerr and Neil Rowe were nominated for awards by their workplaces in the Southern Grampians Access Friendly Business Awards.
2008/2009 Bodie Hollard was awarded the Employee of the Year at the Powercor Ace Radio Southern Grampians Shire Business Awards.
The Mulleraterong Community Inclusion Service won the Community Enterprise category at the Business Achievement Awards.
Mr Geoff Handbury donated $50,000 toward a ventilation system for the hydrotherapy pool.
Mulleraterong temporarily moved to Maryknoll during the building redevelopment.
The Capital Facility Redevelopment Initiative submission resulted in a grant of $384,000 to go towards our building redevelopment.
Our Rights, Choices and Responsibilities Project was granted $50,000.
Our Personal Outcome Measures Training Project was granted $17,000.
6 June 1955 - The name Mulleraterong was accepted by the committee as the name of the new Centre
14 June 1955 - The work of the Centre commenced under the leadership of Miss E. M. Francis in the Methodist Church Sunday School Hall.
20 June 1955 - The official opening of the Centre at the Methodist Church Sunday School Hall with Dr Cunningham Dax as guest speaker.
August - September 1955 - A Queen carnival organized by the Apex Club of Hamilton was held during which an amount of approximately £5300 was raised.
The final night of the carnival was run by the Younger set in the Hamilton Town Hall and the proceeds of the night were shared between the various queens.
3 October 1955 - The site of the new building in Alexandra Parade was approved.
10 May 1956 - The Ladies Auxiliary was formed.
23 May 1958 - The turning of the first sod by the Mayor, at that time Councillor R. D. J. Brown.
16 March 1959 - The first classes were conducted in the new Centre.
1961 Mrs. Cottrill was appointed as Supervisor and Miss Sandra Herrmann was appointed as assistant as a result of Mrs. Cullinane’s resignation. Mrs. Cullinane had been supervisor for 5 years.
Sergeant McDonald and officers of the Hamilton Police Station volunteered to take over the maintenance of the playing areas and outside surrounds.
1962 “Sheltered Workshop” activities were introduced for the senior students. Activities such as silverware polishing and the preparing of plastic bobbins for the Warrnambool Woollen Mills were undertaken.
1963 Increased enrolments necessitated the drawing up of draft plans for extensions to the building.
1964 Extensions to the building were completed and equipment was purchased to cater for the senior students
A school bus service with Portland was introduced
Mrs Cottrill and the students formed a Junior Red Cross Branch, believed to be the first of its type
1965 The need for city accommodation for the isolated country children is an issue that had been claiming the Committees attention. Previous approaches to Dr Dax, the chairman of the Mental Health Authority had been unsuccessful on policy grounds
1966 The Centre put forward a motion to the Victorian Council for Mentally Retarded Children which read: “That the Victorian Council for Mentally Retarded Children request the Mental Health Authority to assume complete responsibility for the salaries of all teachers employed in Registered Day Training Centres”.
1967 In June the Kyeema Centre opened in Portland resulting in a reduction of students attending the Centre from 34 to 26
1968 The Hamilton Apex Club painted the outside of the Centre. A mammoth task for which the committee was most grateful as financial constraints meant a reduction in money available for maintenance.
Staff numbers were reduced in April but despite this wages still increased due to increases in award rates.
A greater reliance on donations and fundraising was becoming a key component of Centre funds.
1969 Funding continues to be an issue and if it was not for a substantial donation from Rotary, the budget would have been in deficit.
1970 The State Government agreed to pay all of the teachers wages leaving the Centre in a more secure financial position.
1971 Students from the Centre competed for the first time in the combined sports of the Western District Centres at Terang where all had an enjoyable and successful day.
1972 Some students attended a Methodist Youth camp at Narrawong
1973 A new craft wing was completed to cater for the senior students where they could take part in more mature activities.
1974 Some senior students commence assisting with the delivery of Meals on Wheels
The Craft wing was being well used with students undertaking various tasks such as the assembly of clothes pegs, packaging of twist drills, making toys and educational equipment and duplicating
1975 The Technical School installed a trampoline and started work on the adventure playground
1976 Thanks to Rotary, an Adventure Playground was completed.
An application to the Schools Commission for a “housed and heated ten metre by five metre swimming pool” was made
Ability Press of Melbourne donated a new printing press.
A committee of parents was formed to look at building hostel accommodation and an approach to the Housing Commission was to be made
1977 Ten senior students spent several days in Melbourne where they stayed at the Y.M.C.A. and visited the Museum, Fitzroy Gardens and went to the Sound of Music. This was a very successful trip and was a first for quite a few of them
A three day camp was held at Nelson for the younger students and this too was a success.
1978 (From the 24th Annual Report) “During November a group of adults from Mulleraterong shared an exciting experience with others of the S.W. region. A Communication Conference for adult retarded persons was held at Nelson and for three days they were given the opportunity to talk about themselves, their programmes, their handicaps, interests, and their place in the in the community etc. Hopefully in the future more opportunities will be available to these persons to speak for themselves”
The new heated pool opens for use
1979 In March the Centre hosted the annual regional sports meeting at which 6 Centres competed at Melville Oval in a day of competitive sports and new
games.
1980 After many years of effort, the Centre received funding and subsidies to establish a residence. After a suitable existing house could not be found a block of land at Lot 2 Rippon Rd priced at $26,500 was found
1981 The Activity Therapy Centre was officially open by the Health Minister Mr. W Borthwick.
The residence at Rippon Rd was completed and furnished with the generous help of the Lions club who also donated
funds to assist with the staffing of the residence.
1982 The Centre’s main excursion for the year was a week long camp at Dean’s Marsh in the Otways where students went horse riding. On other excursions two students went to Queensland on a camping holiday, some attended a Vivaldi concert at The Great Hall of The National Gallery and others competed and won ribbons in the sports day at Colac.
1983 The Caledonian Hotel Social Club constructed a covered walkway between the school and the heated pool
1984 Student numbers reach 52 with 20 of these in the school section and the rest in the Activity Therapy Unit. Some students attend classes in mainstream education facilities and kindergartens and a small group attends TAFE
1985 Mulleraterong Bingo Association began on May 11th and ran bingo games and sold lucky envelopes at what used to be the Hamilton Hotel across from the Post Office. Later the Hamilton Hotel became the Baptist Church and Bingo moved to the Centre.
1986 Some of the young men at the Centre participated in a holiday on the Murray River. They spent several days and caught plenty of carp
1987 A two-day language conference at the Golf Club was successfully catered for by some students.
The year culminated in a trip to see “Cats”
1988 Our netball team was unbeaten during the Glenelg Games.
1989 This was the first year the Centre operated solely as an adult unit though we still shared the building with the Special Development School.
1990 Long standing Director, Pat Shiells resigned due to illness and Debra King was appointed as Director.
The netball team again won gold at the Glenelg Games
1991 Artists from the Centre participated in several art projects during the year including the “Way Out West” exhibition held in Thompson's Plaza and the Drama/Music Project sponsored by the Ministry for the Arts
1992 This year the SDS departed to their new premises in Kerr St leaving the whole building for us. The extra space we acquired was soon utilized giving us room to operate more effectively.
The Green Machine garden maintenance crew took delivery of their new work van and the program was extended to run 5 days per week
1993 The woodwork program moved into other premises in Carmichael St sharing a larger building with SkillShare.
Participants participated in a Debutante Ball
1994 Major repairs to the heated pool meant having it closed for an extended period but the new look pool was welcomed by all who use it.
1995 This was the 40th year the Centre had been operating.
Participants flew with “Biggles” in his Tiger Moth over Hamilton. Some even managed to survive some aerobatics!
1996 Several participants went fishing on Portland Bay and were lucky enough to have the haddock biting well. Lots were caught and the staff and boat owner were kept busy baiting and re-baiting hooks.
Centre-provided transport ceased giving participants the opportunity to increase their independence.
1997 The premises at 90 French St were bought in May and we spent a lot of time cleaning it out and building an office and renovating the toilets etc. Everyone had a ball doing this as did the gardening group who were busily preparing new garden beds at the rear of the building.
1998 The official opening of the Workshop and Garden complex in French St provided participants with a more modern and spacious environment in which to work.
Two Centre artists, Margie Watson and Diane Ryan had paintings exhibited at the National Gallery of Victoria in the “A” Exhibition.
1999 Several participants including Brett and Peter assisted local land care groups undertake tree planting near Glenthompson.
2000 Some participants and staff participated in the “Yes” Exhibition and concert at the Hamilton PAC. This was an outstanding success
with some participants overcoming personal hurdles to achieve solo performances.
2001 The commissioning of the new change rooms and foyer for our swimming pool.
2002 The building of a new nursery shed to house the growing number of native and exotic plants propagated during the Potstop Nursery Program.
Participation of the “Inside Out - Our Community” project which involved the printing and displaying of photographic works of participants from the Centre.
Several artists from the Centre also had some art work hung at the Warrnambool Art Gallery. Some were rewarded with their works being sold.
The Centre structure was changed and a Chief Executive Officer was appointed.
2003 The Centre offered some new programs to the participants. The Independent Living Program, Adventure Activities program and a revamped Physical Activities Program offered participants some new and exciting options.
2004 The commencement of a planning stage to look at the possible renovation of the Centre to better suit our growing needs.
2005 The Pathways Pilot Program and a Community Inclusion Pilot Project enabled the Centre to place several participants in the community in work experience or volunteer placements.
An All Abilities Advocacy group was established to allow participants to participate in decision making and be involved in the Centre and planning for the future.
2006 The Growth of our Community Inclusion Program provided the opportunity for seventeen participants to have a supported work or volunteer placement in Hamilton businesses and organizations.
2007 Continuing progress will include development of a Strategic Plan and conducting Community Consultation to Strengthen the Centre’s Community Purpose in line with the State Disability Plan 2002 - 2012.
2007/2008 A new roof was installed on the Hydrotherapy Pool and Terry Hurley celebrated 20 years in January of 2008.
The Community Inclusion Program was a finalist in the Powercor Ace Radio Southern Grampians Shire Business Awards.
Barbara Harnden was a finalist in the Employee of the Year category of the Powercor Ace Radio Southern Grampians Shire Business Awards.
Individual Program Plans changed to Individual Support Plans with the implementation of new Disability Service Standards.
Clients presented “Community Inclusion in a Country Town” at the Having a Say Conference.
Peter Gilbert received the Rotary Pride of Workmanship Award.
Ashley Shepherd and Judy Johnson served on the Planning and Inclusion Committee of the Southern Grampians Disability Support Group and enlisted their support to lobby the SGSC to install a pedestrian crossing at Mulleraterong.
Nerida Kerr and Neil Rowe were nominated for awards by their workplaces in the Southern Grampians Access Friendly Business Awards.
2008/2009 Bodie Hollard was awarded the Employee of the Year at the Powercor Ace Radio Southern Grampians Shire Business Awards.
The Mulleraterong Community Inclusion Service won the Community Enterprise category at the Business Achievement Awards.
Mr Geoff Handbury donated $50,000 toward a ventilation system for the hydrotherapy pool.
Mulleraterong temporarily moved to Maryknoll during the building redevelopment.
The Capital Facility Redevelopment Initiative submission resulted in a grant of $384,000 to go towards our building redevelopment.
Our Rights, Choices and Responsibilities Project was granted $50,000.
Our Personal Outcome Measures Training Project was granted $17,000.
