1988
WRISC begins operation at 22 East St. managed by the Central Highlands Women’s Collective, funded by Community Services Victoria under the Supported Accommodation Assistance Sub-Programme “Women’s Emergency Services Program (WESP)”.
1989
“Women’s Waves” radio program every Thursday on 3BBB.
1990
DV Roadshow education campaign commences.
“Who Dares, Cares” – Young Women’s Group commences.
Ballarat Lesbian Support & Social Group commences.
WRISC becomes the only “women’s only” space in Ballarat.
1991
Women’s Resource Guide first published.
Workshops for young women about self-esteem and assertiveness (WRISC & Ballarat East Community House).
1993
Crisis Accommodation Program (CAP) established. Dept of Planning & Development purchases CAP House on behalf of WRISC.
WRISC moves to 119 Lyons Street North, Ballarat.
International Day Against Violence Against Women” – Silent vigil.
1994
‘Reclaim the Night’ march with WRISC & CASA.
1995
Expanded hours – 9am – 5:30pm Tuesday to Friday.
1996
WRISC becomes global through www.wrisc.ballarat.net.au.
1997
WRISC open 5 days a week.
Outreach to shires of Hepburn, Moorabool, Pyrenees and Golden Plains.
1999
Commencement of SAFE program, after-hours family violence support.
Children’s worker commenced at WRISC.
2003
First worker for the newly funded Indigenous Program.
2006
Structural change to the organisation. Program Manager employed for the first time.
Indigenous Worker commences.
2007
Decision to have a Board of Governance that would control & manage the affairs of the CHWC.
2009
QICSA accreditation successfully completed.
2010
March – purchase of 125 Eureka Street, Ballarat.
2011
January – Relocation to refurbished 125 Eureka Street.
Establishment of a volunteer program for reception/administration.
Senior Family Violence Support Worker position created and filled.
2012
Launch of the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
Establishment of an Indigenous Trainee Position.
2013
One DHS & ASES accreditation successfully completed.
Additional Children’s Counsellor employed.
2014
August – Beginning of development three year Strategic Plan : 2015 to 2018.
November – Full Board elected at Annual General Meeting.
2015
February – Development of the facilitated leadership model Turning Point: our collective spirit 2015.
April – Adoption of the 2015-2018 Strategic Plan.
WRISC Disability Action Plan – 2015.
2016
Accreditation successfully completed – WRISC assessed as fully satisfying all standards by QIP (Quality Innovation Performance). Royal Commission into Family Violence tables its report containing 227 recommendations.
Victorian Government pledges half a billion dollars as a “down payment” to begin implementing the Royal Commission’s recommendations in full.
Victorian Government releases 10 year plan – “Ending Family Violence Victoria’s Plan for Change”.
December 19 – Relocation to larger premises based at 205 Dana St in the Ballarat CBD necessitated by an increase demand for WRISC’s services and a corresponding increase in staff numbers.
2017
Full time worker located in Bacchus Marsh.
Van Go submission successful – Located in Bacchus Marsh, Van Go is a new demonstration model with mobile therapy vans taking creative therapeutic services to children affected by family violence.
2018
November – WRISC celebrates 30 years of providing a service to women and children who have experienced family violence in the Central Highlands region of Victoria. The Annual General Meeting, held in the Trench Room at the Ballarat Town Hall, was a formal celebration of this milestone. It is announced that the Ballarat/Central Highlands Region is next in line for the establishment of a support and safety hub called “The Orange Door”.
2019
Strategic Plan 2019-2022 – A new Strategic Plan has been collaboratively developed and includes the 5 pillars of Client Voice, Governance & Sustainability, Stakeholder Collaboration, Workforce and Service Offering. Our Vision: Safety, equality and opportunity for all people.
Family Violence Creative & Therapeutic Services Consortium (FV-CaTS) established. In the Central Highlands region, 3 agencies have formed the Family Violence Creative and Therapeutic Services Consortium to provide services in the 5 local government areas of City of Ballarat, Hepburn Shire, Moorabool Shire, Golden Plains Shire and Pyrenees Shire. The agencies are WRISC, Ballarat Community Health and Berry Street. The consortium will provide therapeutic services such as counselling and creative therapies, including art, play and music therapies.
2020
The effect of pandemic COVID-19 resulted in a transformation of service delivery that included: phone consultations, therapeutic on-line consultations, zoom whole staff team meetings, e-meetings using the ‘teams’ app, all staff to receive lap tops and work phones to be able to work from home in an instant.
The opening of the virtual The Orange Door in November.
2021
New website developed.
The development of the Program Manager role.
Mid-cycle accreditation achieved.
Successful Pop Up Op Shop.