Our Beginnings

Doncare officially opened its doors on 17 November 1969 with a staff of 22 volunteers.

A new free Community Care and Counselling Centre to offer help and guidance to a wide cross section of the community, including people with all types of worries......including lonely housewives, overworked businessmen, marriage problems, unhappy teenagers, forgotten elderly citizens, people seeking self-understanding, nervous and anxious people, upbringing of children and many others...

Doncare opened its first op shop in Jackson Court.

Staffed by 60 volunteers, described as “human dynamos, very determined and energetic...getting on with the job of raising much needed funds for Doncare”. On the first day of operation, the shop took $57.

Opened the first women’s refuge in Melbourne’s eastern region.

Brenda House was staffed by eight co-ordinators and 35 volunteers and within 24 hours it was full, totally justifying the belief of Director, Brenda Grimwade of its necessity. It had a capacity to cater for ten residents in a home-like atmosphere, where women and children could escape intolerable domestic violent situations, mainly due to alcoholism and physical violence.

First Youth Outreach Worker in Manningham employed.

Employed the first Youth Outreach Worker in Manningham, responding to youth disengagement in the local community.

Ros Loader announced CEO

Chief Executive Officer (1988–2001) Ros Loader led Doncare through a period of growth and consolidation, strengthening the organisation’s foundations and expanding its role as a trusted provider of community-based support in Manningham.

Launched the Social Support for Seniors program

To reduce loneliness and social isolation for frail older people through volunteer-supported recreational activities.

The Chinese Walking Group

Doncare recognised the need to develop a program to cater for the needs of the increasing number of Chinese families settling in the Manningham area.

Established Good Beginnings

Later known as Hands-on Parenting (HOPS), a volunteer-led Community Parents program providing practical and emotional support to local families with young children.

Doreen Stoves commenced as CEO

Doreen Stoves commenced as CEO of Doncare after 25 years at the Department of Human Services. Doreen followed in the footsteps of Roslyn Loader, who had been the backbone of Doncare for some 22 years.

Family Services in Manningham

Doncare secures State Government funding to launch the Family Services program in Manningham. The first Family Worker appointed in the Family Services Program.

Convened the Manningham Family Violence Reference Group

Doncare initiated the MFVR to strengthen collaboration between agencies supporting people affected by family violence. This was an early Council-supported partnership model focused on local coordination and response.

Conceived the DAWN Program

A mentoring program for victim-survivors of family violence, designed to improve safety, confidence and connectedness for women and their children. DAWN was later recognised as an effective peer-support model in the Family Violence Reform Implementation Monitor’s 2022 Crisis response to recovery model for victim survivors report. Funded by Council for many years, the program secured recurrent state funding in 2025 and continues to support the Manningham community.

Launched Volunteering in Manningham

ViM provided a pathway to a broad range of volunteering opportunities and established strong connections to community organisations, sporting clubs and other not-for-profit groups to assist them with their volunteering needs.

Introduced the iMatter program

Introduced the iMatter program, one of the first school and community-based interventions in Australia focused on preventing family violence and educating young people.

Partnered with RMIT University

Together RMIT and Doncare commenced the placement of Social Work students to deliver a generalist casework program aimed at preventing people from falling through service gaps and slipping into poverty.

Launched the LiveFree App

With the financial support of the Rotary Club of Doncaster, the LiveFree app put information about domestic violence, warning signs and support pathways into the palm of people’s hands.

iMatter App launched by Rosie Batty AO

The iMatter App was designed to help women recognise signs of abuse and access support to make safer choices. Doncare was awarded a high commendation as a finalist in the Innovation category of the 2016 ANZIAwards.

Responded to the lack of homelessness services in Manningham

Partnered with SalvoCare Eastern to co-locate a homelessness support worker at Doncare, helping fill a critical local service gap.

Manningham Business Excellence Awards Finalist

Partnered with EACH to deliver Gamblers Help Therapeutic Counselling and AOD counselling in Manningham

Ensuring residents could access specialised support locally rather than travelling outside the area.

Inaugural Empowered Women Empowering Women event

The event boasted a stellar line up including comedian and radio personality Jo Stanley, 2015 Australian of the Year, Rosie Batty and award-winning designer and TV personality Shaynna Blaze.

Manningham Business Excellence Awards Winner

Men's Behavioural Change

Supported Boorndawan Willam Aboriginal Healing Centre to offer Men’s Behaviour Change in Manningham.

Ben Crowe Empowers Community

Applauded internationally as the man behind Ash Barty’s charge to the top, Crowe took the audience on an inspiring and unexpected journey, sharing personal stories from Michael Jordan, Andre Agassi and Roger Federer. Described as the ‘Secret Weapon’ behind Richmond’s 2017 Grand Final Victory, Ben provided valuable insight into his work with Peggy O’Neil, Damien Hardwick and Trent Cotchin

Keeping Seniors Connected

With the support of Bendigo Bank, the objective of the Keeping Seniors Connected program was to build older people’s digital confidence, responding to the social isolation and digital inequality highlighted during COVID-19.

Partnered with EACH Manningham Youth Services to co-facilitate Digging Deep

The program for Year 6 students at Doncaster Primary School supported girls with psychoeducation around coping and resilience, and boys with respect for self and others.

Jelena Dokic International Womens Day Event

Jelena Dokic received a well deserved standing ovation at Doncare's International Womens Day Charity luncheon. The energy in the room was palpable as the audience cheered and praised Jelena for her courage, dignity, determination and grace. Over 250 people gathered together at Bramleigh Estate - Warrandyte to hear Jelena's story where she inspired us with a powerful and inspiring message.

Launched Golden Moments

A partnership with a local businessperson and community member to create joyful, one-of-a-kind experiences for socially isolated and financially disadvantaged older residents of Manningham. With funding supporting one experience each month, the program reflects both an innovative response to loneliness and the strong confidence the local community places in Doncare.