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Milestones and History

  • On 21st May 1975, the Brunswick Community Health Centre officially came into being. The service was officially opened on 7th August that year.
  • Brunswick Community Health Service Society was registered with the Hospital & Charities Commission on 27th January 1976.  The total State and Commonwealth government grants for the year ending 30 June 1977 were $8,492 
  • By the end of the 1978 financial year, Brunswick Community Health Centre Income had risen to $174,932 and the number of client contacts exceeded 3,500 for the year.
  • During the 1979 financial year, Incorporation status was granted, and the First Incorporated Committee of Management was elected. The first Occupational Health Advisory Board was also appointed. 
  • By the end of 1980, and in addition to the Primary Medical Centre, the range of services being offered included Physiotherapy, Optometry, Chiropody, Arthritis Group, Amputees Group, Teenage Slimming Group, Tax advice and Business English.
  • By 1982, 62% of all clients of the service resided in Brunswick. 96% of clients were either semi-skilled employees or process workers and labourers, while 80% of clients were born overseas. Income for the financial year exceeded $211,600
  • In June 1984 advice was received that the Centre was able to employ two doctors and a clinic nurse, after an extensive campaign which involved hundreds of letters, deputations, resolutions and meetings.
  • In 1985, CEO Meredith Kefford oversaw the purchase of the land for the Brunswick site (11 Glenlyon Road). During this year, staff numbers (including relieving staff) grew to 27,  Client contacts reached 16,310 and income rose to $443,169
  • By 1987, with 35 staff and with approximately 3000 people using the Centre each month, the Centre continued to grow and provide an important service to the local community. A pilot dental service was planned to commence in the later part of the year. 
  • On April 20 1988, the contract for the building of the Glenlyon site was signed. Income for the year reached $644,261, and client contacts were 26,087. In July 1990, Brunswick Community Health Centre moved into the new building in Glenlyon Road. 
  • On the 22nd June 1994, the City of Moreland was created by amalgamating the Cities of Brunswick and Coburg, and a large section of the former City of Broadmeadows. With the amalgamation, we moved from being Brunswick and Coburg Community Health Service to become Moreland Community Health Service (MCHS). 
  • During 1994, Brunswick and Coburg Community Health Service received $560,000 in funding to begin a new Linkages service, and Commonwealth Dental Health Program funding for emergency and routine dental care.  40,243 individual and 14,102 group services were provided.  Total income was $2,728,895
  • By the 1997 Financial Year, total income was $4,901,944. By 2002, Income had reached $10,984,433. 
  • During 2002 – 2003, the Dental service processed over 4,410 clients.  In 2004, the CarerLinks North and the Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre alone received over 3,500 requests for information, support, counselling, referral and brokerage services.
  • By the end of the 2003 Financial Year, Income reached $11,353,685, and by 2006 Income had grown to $14,617,467. By the end of the 2007 Financial Year, Income reached $17,702,101.
  • In 2009 Moreland Community Health Service Inc changed its name to Merri Community Health Services Limited and changed the legal status of the company from an Incorporated associated to a Company Limited to Guarantee.
  • Income projections for the 2009 Financial Year exceed $22 million.

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