Our History

The Emmanuel Centre was developed in 1981 which was the International Year of Disabled Persons by a committee of Catholic volunteers with a background in social work.

This committee asked Archbishop Goody to establish a centre for people with disabilities/people with other abilities and their families.

The Emmanuel Centre officially opened on Sunday the 6th of December 1981. The centre is currently home to a few organisations and initiatives working together to make life easier for people with disabilities/people with other abilities.

1981 – The old St Francis Xavier School in East Perth was given to the Emmanuel Centre for use.

Grant of $15,000 given to the Emmanuel Centre to finance the operation.

December 1982 – Renovation was completed. It includes the creation of an office and a space for running programs.

1983 – First house for accommodation was bought in Yokine.

1984 – Two houses next door to Emmanuel Centre became disability accommodation housing. Eventually there would be 3 houses in East Perth, 1 in Yokine, 1 in Bassendean.

1988 – Catholic Association for Special Education Support (C.A.S.E.S.) set up with Archbishop Hickey to support and integrate Catholic children into Catholic schools.

1990 – Catholic Committee for Psychiatric Concerns (Catholic Mental Health Support) set up.

1992 – Emmanuel Centre supports a profoundly deaf man to take Telstra to the Human Rights Commission because Telstra failed to provide him with a usable phone. “Scott vs Telstra”.

1994 – Emmanuel Prayer Group started on Saturdays.

Scholarships provided for parish staff and volunteers to be trained in Mental Health First Aid.

Work in Progress

2020 – New accommodation called the Emmanuel Community House is being built next door.