Melbourne-skyline The organisation known today as Open Family Australia was informally founded in Melbourne in 1978.

In 1978 Father Bob Maguire and Brother Alex McDonald founded Open Family.
In 1981 Open Family Foundation was established as a charitable organisation and an unincorporated association.
On 6 March 1984 Open Family Foundation Incorporated was incorporated in Victoria.
On 1 September 1992 Open Family (Australia) Incorporated was incorporated as an association in the ACT.
On 2 December 1992 Open Family Foundation Incorporated changed its name to Open Family (Victoria) Incorporated.
On 7 November 2005 Open Family (Australia) Incorporated became a Registered Australian Body with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC).
In December 2006, after 28 years of service, Father Bob Maguire retired from Open Family (Australia) to pursue his own Foundation.
On 6 September 2007 Open Family Australia became registered as a public company limited by guarantee.
On 1 December 2011 Open Family Australia merged with like-minded youth organisation Whitelion.

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Our mission

Our mission is to change the lives of homeless and at-risk young people by working with them individually, offering long term and focused intensive support.

Our vision is to provide them with the life skills and support they need to break the cycle of poverty and hopelessness and build a better future.

At Open Family Australia we believe in a young person’s need to belong. We can change the lives of vulnerable young people.

“When Henry Davis York initially expressed an interest to support Open Family Australia we received a quick and positive response. Open Family Australia met with us to explain more about their operations and vision. They really made an effort to understand our firm and to offer funding opportunities to suit our focus while at the same time fulfilling their own mission and focus on community needs. The staff of Open Family Australia have always been approachable and committed to making our partnership a success. With such clear communication, we feel confident that our contribution is making a difference. We are proud to support the work of Open Family Australia and to witness the difference they are making to kids who have nowhere else to turn. ”

Kelvin O’Connor, Chief Operating Officer, Henry Davis York.

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Contact Us

Open Family Australia
155 Roden Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
T. 1300 669 600
E. ofaonline@openfamily.com.au

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