Providing a wide range of social and professional services to people across Western Australia is an impressive task, but one which Centrecare Incorporated (Inc) takes on with more than 70 years’ experience.
Spread across the state, from metropolitan Perth to the Goldfields and the South West, the agency provides more than 70 different services, with more than 300 staff to facilitate these.
Part of this work includes service provision to remote Aboriginal communities in WA, such as Coonana, Tjuntjuntjarra and the Ngaanyatjarra lands, along with weekly and fortnightly visits to the towns of Coolgardie, Menzies, Leonora and Laverton, and Norseman.
Reflecting on Centrecare Inc’s history and current role, Director Tony Pietropiccolo AM said the agency was guided by the Catholic Church’s holistic vision for community.
“Our inspiration is drawn from the Christian message of love, hope and justice. We are encouraged by those individuals, irrespective of race or belief, who seek to create a society that transcends, dignifies and unites all people,” he said.
It is this which underpins Centrecare Inc’s goal of strengthening people and communities through the provision of professional social services, inspired by compassion and recognition for human dignity, he added.
“The current Centrecare Inc Board has experience in areas such as finance, business, migration law, counselling, community service and cultural diversity,” Mr Pietropiccolo said.
“These members embody the skills and diversity necessary to ensure accountability, enhance ongoing and sustainable vision, policy formation and the long-term planning capacity of Centrecare Inc.
“This experience means people across WA can gain support with issues like accommodation, family disputes, domestic and family violence, gambling, family functioning, and those relating to migration and youth concerns.
“Centrecare Inc aims to be an example of unconditional care in action. It always seeks the common good and works towards achieving a society that is founded on the principles of justice and fairness for all,” Mr Pietropiccolo said.
“Having started back in the 1940s, we hope to continue providing essential social services for all West Australians, based on these principals, and with a view to encouraging their full participation in our society.”
Centrecare Inc also runs workshops in many locations around WA, covering topics such as parenting, family disputes, mental health and domestic violence, as well as after-school activities for children.
Its eleven offices are based in Kalgoorlie, Leonora, Esperance, Bunbury, and across the metropolitan area.
From page 19 of Issue 10: ‘Social Outreach’ of The Record Magazine