Merger ushers in new era for social services in the Archdiocese

The historic merger of Marymead Child & Family Centre and CatholicCare Canberra and Goulburn marks the start of a new era for an agency with a rich history and clear vision for the future, Marymead CatholicCare CEO Anne Kirwan said at the entity’s launch last week.

“This is a huge milestone day for us,” she said.

“We begin a new chapter in our caring journey, and we are incredibly proud that our foundations hold the stories of courageous, passionate, hard-working, committed women and men who rolled up their sleeves to provide essential services and spiritual support during critical periods in the lives of others.”

Mrs Kirwan said the organisation inherited a living legacy of social action that continues to this day.

“We are the social services arm of the Archdiocese, and the new mission of Marymead CatholicCare reflects these simple beginnings and clear purpose – we are called to be there for people. In times of need. To make a positive difference. Across the lifespan.”

Both Marymead and CatholicCare have rich histories, evolving from grass roots movements, where lay women and men worked alongside religious sisters, priests and parishes to respond to what was happening within their communities. 

“They mustered support and utilised their networks to reach out to those experiencing disadvantage and hardship within their neighbourhoods and communities, and offered their care and resources,” Mrs Kirwan said.

“Both organisations have always been supported by local communities and volunteers.” 

Marymead CatholicCare operates across both the ACT and regional NSW areas employing over 600 staff – the footprint extends across Canberra, into Queanbeyan, Goulburn, Young, Wagga, the South Coast and down through the snowy region.

Mrs Kirwin said the aim was not to be the biggest, but to be providers of excellence within areas of expertise, delivering evidence-based services that make a real difference in people’s lives.

“The people we care for deserve to receive services that are not just good, or good enough, average or mediocre,” she said.

“They deserve the best and our best efforts – they deserve to receive services that we would be proud and confident to refer our own families, friends and children to.”Mrs Kirwan said the organisation would work to find solutions to some of the most difficult challenges in society – family breakdown, homelessness, abuse, neglect, mental illness, addiction, family violence, trauma, loneliness, despair, grief and loss.

“Our role is to hold onto hope – that things will be better, circumstances will improve, broken systems will be fixed, and that solutions to these societal challenges are possible,” she said.

“We nudge, suggest, advocate, partner and propose – reflecting that Marymead CatholicCare are also part of and players within a social services system that can and should achieve so much more.”

Archbishop Christopher Prowse said the launch was a very significant historical moment in the long life of the Catholic Church in the Canberra and Goulburn Archdiocese. 

“We all know that they will be stronger together and will enable us to, along with health and education, outreach our social service arm of our Catholic contribution here in this area of Australia,” he said.

“Today certainly is a point of departure but it is also a point of arrival, please God, for many years ahead of kindness and care to those on the peripheries of life.

Marymead CatholicCare Chair Helen Delahunty said the merger represented a unique opportunity for the two organisations to have a greater impact in the community.

“This merger will allow us to deliver our existing work with greater efficiency and effectiveness while also building new programs that will help us meet our clients’ evolving needs,” she said.

“Together, we have made a difference to the many lives of those we support, and I am confident that as the new entity we will be able to support a greater number of people in their need in the years to come.”