{"id":1380,"date":"2024-08-14T15:18:49","date_gmt":"2024-08-14T05:18:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/melbasupport.wpenginepowered.com\/?page_id=1380"},"modified":"2026-04-01T13:17:58","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T02:17:58","slug":"who-we-are","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/who-we-are\/","title":{"rendered":"Who We Are"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n    <div class=\"block--custom-layout page-banner\" >\r\n                    <div class=\"page-banner__image page-banner__image--desktop\">\r\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/SubHeader-5-2.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n            <\/div>\r\n                            <div class=\"page-banner__image page-banner__image--large-desktop\">\r\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/About-Us.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n            <\/div>\r\n                            <div class=\"page-banner__image homepage-baner__image--mobile\">\r\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"nolazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/SubHeader-6.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        \r\n        <div class=\"max-wrap\">\r\n            <div class=\"page-banner__wrap\">\r\n                <div class=\"page-banner__content\">\r\n                                            <h1>Who we are<\/h1>\n                                                                                            <div class=\"page-banner__button\">\r\n                                <a href=\"\/get-support\/\" target=\"\" class=\"btn btn--secondary\">Get Support<\/a>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                                                            <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\r\n\n\n    <div class=\"block--custom-layout block_43244fff4ab9e991bdc482d96280d2d1 two-col-image-text about-us about-us-pink nobg-image bg-colour-taupe\" id=\"our-vision\" >\r\n        <div class=\"max-wrap \">\r\n            <div class=\"two-col-image-text__wrap image-position-right\">\r\n                <div class=\"two-col-image-text__content text-justify-middle\">\r\n                    <h1>Our Vision and Purpose<\/h1>\n<p>A society that values the individuality and rights of all people.<\/p>\n<p>To open up a world of opportunities for people to live a fabulous life.<\/p>\n\r\n                    \r\n                <\/div>\r\n                    <div class=\"two-col-image-text__image-container\">\r\n        <div class=\"two-col-image-text__image image-size-medium \">\r\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Rectangle.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n            <div class=\"two-col-image-text__image-text\"><\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\n\n\r\n    <div class=\"block--custom-layout block_e7f3a3ca4d7cef2304d9eb0c273658c7 our-services about-us\" id=\"our-values\" >\r\n        <div class=\"max-wrap\">\r\n                            <h1>Our Values<\/h1>\r\n                                        <div class=\"our-services__wrap\">\r\n                                                                    <a class=\"our-services__item our-services__item--hover\"  onclick='event.preventDefault();' style='cursor: default'>\r\n                                                                                            <div class=\"our-services__image\">\r\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Icon_person-1.png\" alt=\"\" style=\"height: 148.5px;\">\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                                                                                        <div class=\"our-services__text\">\r\n                                    <h2>Human Rights<\/h2>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                                                    <\/a>\r\n                                                                    <a class=\"our-services__item our-services__item--hover\"  onclick='event.preventDefault();' style='cursor: default'>\r\n                                                                                            <div class=\"our-services__image\">\r\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Icon_heart-1.png\" alt=\"\" style=\"height: 131.5px;\">\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                                                                                        <div class=\"our-services__text\">\r\n                                    <h2>Passion<\/h2>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                                                    <\/a>\r\n                                                                    <a class=\"our-services__item our-services__item--hover\"  onclick='event.preventDefault();' style='cursor: default'>\r\n                                                                                            <div class=\"our-services__image\">\r\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Icon_pencil-1.png\" alt=\"\" style=\"height: 141.5px;\">\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                                                                                        <div class=\"our-services__text\">\r\n                                    <h2>Creativity<\/h2>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                                                    <\/a>\r\n                                                                    <a class=\"our-services__item our-services__item--hover\"  onclick='event.preventDefault();' style='cursor: default'>\r\n                                                                                            <div class=\"our-services__image\">\r\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Icon_flexibility-1.png\" alt=\"\" style=\"height: 132.5px;\">\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                                                                                        <div class=\"our-services__text\">\r\n                                    <h2>Flexibility<\/h2>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                                                    <\/a>\r\n                                                                    <a class=\"our-services__item our-services__item--hover\"  onclick='event.preventDefault();' style='cursor: default'>\r\n                                                                                            <div class=\"our-services__image\">\r\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Icon_fun-1.png\" alt=\"\" style=\"height: 141px;\">\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                                                                                        <div class=\"our-services__text\">\r\n                                    <h2>Fun<\/h2>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                                                    <\/a>\r\n                                    <\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"284\" src=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Melba-Way-Logo-web-1024x284.png\" alt=\"The Melba Way logo\" class=\"wp-image-2507\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Melba-Way-Logo-web-1024x284.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Melba-Way-Logo-web-300x83.png 300w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Melba-Way-Logo-web-768x213.png 768w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Melba-Way-Logo-web.png 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"block--custom-layout block_07b82bc40f632067617821bcdf356e86 two-col-image-text nobg-image bg-colour-taupe\" >\r\n        <div class=\"max-wrap \">\r\n            <div class=\"two-col-image-text__wrap image-position-left\">\r\n                <div class=\"two-col-image-text__content text-justify-middle\">\r\n                    <p>Everyone at Melba is guided by The Melba Way \u2013 it\u2019s how we do things, it combines our values, practice framework and The Melba Way Charter and is the key to opening up a world of opportunities for people to live the life they want.<\/p>\n<p>The heart of The Melba Way is seeing every person as an individual with their own skills, abilities and characteristics. We find out as much as we can about each person and we record, respect and lean into that individuality. It\u2019s this individuality that guides how we create, maintain and refine a person\u2019s individualised service plan \u2013 minute by minute, hour by hour and day by day. This highly personalised approach allows us to support each person by offering tailored support that grows and changes with them.<\/p>\n\r\n                    \r\n                <\/div>\r\n                    <div class=\"two-col-image-text__image-container\">\r\n        <div class=\"two-col-image-text__image image-size-medium \">\r\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/WEB-The-Melba-Way-PQS-Framework-RGB.png\" alt=\"Melba way practice quality framework\">\r\n            <div class=\"two-col-image-text__image-text\"><\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"block--custom-layout block_57d3f953fc945f4395f9eccc6ec34929 two-col-image-text nobg-image bg-colour-white\" >\r\n        <div class=\"max-wrap \">\r\n            <div class=\"two-col-image-text__wrap image-position-left\">\r\n                <div class=\"two-col-image-text__content text-justify-middle\">\r\n                    <h2><span class=\"TextRun SCXW258660583 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW258660583 BCX8\">Getting started with Melba<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW258660583 BCX8\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For over 50 years, Melba has stood beside Victorians with disability, championing choice, dignity, and dreams. As a proud NDIS provider, we offer personalised support, from independent living to community connection. Every service is built around what matters most. You!\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202fHere is a bit more information on the process of joining the Melba community.<\/span><\/p>\n\r\n                    \r\n                <\/div>\r\n                \r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"block--custom-layout block_cb481d39aaf711d0b3536f9dda93898d two-col-image-text nobg-image bg-colour-taupe\" >\r\n        <div class=\"max-wrap \">\r\n            <div class=\"two-col-image-text__wrap image-position-right\">\r\n                <div class=\"two-col-image-text__content text-justify-middle\">\r\n                    <h3>1. We are here to help<\/h3>\n<p>First impressions are important! your voice matters. We want to know what you&#8217;re looking for, how we can help, and we&#8217;ll answer any questions you have.<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You can reach out to us by:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&#8211; <a href=\"mailto:engagement@melbasupport.com.au\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">email<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> or<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0our online <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/get-support\/?type=Contact+Us\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">enquiry form<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211; <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">phone on 1300 696 352<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You can ask us any questions you might have and we can give you information about the Melba community. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We can send you further information if necessary and we can book a follow up meeting to get your Melba journey started.<\/span><\/p>\n\r\n                    \r\n                <\/div>\r\n                    <div class=\"two-col-image-text__image-container\">\r\n        <div class=\"two-col-image-text__image image-size-medium \">\r\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/mcn-may-04.webp\" alt=\"Jamie Lee\">\r\n            <div class=\"two-col-image-text__image-text\"><\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"block--custom-layout block_79f13841546f861e71ad124c08b82e1c two-col-image-text nobg-image bg-colour-white\" >\r\n        <div class=\"max-wrap \">\r\n            <div class=\"two-col-image-text__wrap image-position-left\">\r\n                <div class=\"two-col-image-text__content text-justify-middle\">\r\n                    <h3><span data-contrast=\"auto\">2. Tell us what you want<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We will ask questions and listen so we understand your needs and wants. Your ideas and preferences will help us tailor your support just for you. This is casual chat with you (and anyone you choose to bring) about one of our favourite topics\u2026you!<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We want to know:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211; what makes you\u2026you!<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211; what does living life your way look like to you<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211; what you like and what would you love to achieve<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211; how you like things done.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This is a great time to talk to us about what support you are looking for and anything else you think we should know.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We will also talk about funding and your NDIS plan.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You can ask us questions too \u2013 we\u2018re not shy about talking about the Melba Way!<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\r\n                    \r\n                <\/div>\r\n                    <div class=\"two-col-image-text__image-container\">\r\n        <div class=\"two-col-image-text__image image-size-medium \">\r\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/MELBA-NEWS-LANDSCAPE-88.png\" alt=\"\">\r\n            <div class=\"two-col-image-text__image-text\"><\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"block--custom-layout block_17e84c4e61bddd8c45ea9f41e097b333 two-col-image-text nobg-image bg-colour-taupe\" >\r\n        <div class=\"max-wrap \">\r\n            <div class=\"two-col-image-text__wrap image-position-right\">\r\n                <div class=\"two-col-image-text__content text-justify-middle\">\r\n                    <h3><span data-contrast=\"auto\">3. Let&#8217;s plan together<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We&#8217;ll meet with you to plan how we can best support you. We focus on what you want, you choose your support and the staff you want to work with. This is the fun part! Now that we know a bit more about you we can explore the Melba services that work for you.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This could include<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">Supported Independent Living, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Individualised Support Arrangements, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Leisure, Recreation, Day Programs, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Respite, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Positive Behaviour Support, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Occupational therapy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you are happy with what we offer, we will give you a document called a Service Agreement.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This outlines <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">what support we will give you, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">your rights and responsibilities, and <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the costs (in line with NDIS pricing).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We will work closely with you to make sure everything is just how you want it.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\r\n                    \r\n                <\/div>\r\n                    <div class=\"two-col-image-text__image-container\">\r\n        <div class=\"two-col-image-text__image image-size-medium \">\r\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Don-Con.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n            <div class=\"two-col-image-text__image-text\"><\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"block--custom-layout block_d0c37a668ebca87ebe0d3727308a8d6a two-col-image-text nobg-image bg-colour-white\" >\r\n        <div class=\"max-wrap \">\r\n            <div class=\"two-col-image-text__wrap image-position-left\">\r\n                <div class=\"two-col-image-text__content text-justify-middle\">\r\n                    <h3><span data-contrast=\"auto\">4. Let&#8217;s go!<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Your Melba support begins. We will ask for your feedback as we go along. Together, we will make any changes necessary to make sure you&#8217;re comfortable and happy. This is where it gets good. You\u2019re now part of the Melba community, where people always come first. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Everything we do here is about opening up a world of opportunities for people to live fabulous lives.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Go and be fabulous.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Your feedback is important to us, and we want to hear from you.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Our team will check in regularly to make sure you\u2019re happy with your support. And we can help you if your needs change.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\r\n                    \r\n                <\/div>\r\n                    <div class=\"two-col-image-text__image-container\">\r\n        <div class=\"two-col-image-text__image image-size-medium \">\r\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Adrian-Scotty-20.webp\" alt=\"\">\r\n            <div class=\"two-col-image-text__image-text\"><\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"block--custom-layout block_d6c7c754ed9f1ba546a43bd56570f6f7 our-history\" id=\"our-history\" >\r\n        \r\n        <div class=\"max-wrap\">\r\n                            <h1>Our History &#8211; Supporting people with disability for more than 50 years<\/h1>\r\n            \r\n                            <div class=\"our-history--desktop\">\r\n                    <div class=\"our-history__tab-heading\">\r\n                                                                            <div class=\"our-history__tab-heading-item\">\r\n                                <a href=\"#!\" class=\"js-history-tab-heading active\" data-tab=\"tab-1972\">1972<\/a>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                                                    <div class=\"our-history__tab-heading-item\">\r\n                                <a href=\"#!\" class=\"js-history-tab-heading \" data-tab=\"tab-1995\">1995<\/a>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                                                    <div class=\"our-history__tab-heading-item\">\r\n                                <a href=\"#!\" class=\"js-history-tab-heading \" data-tab=\"tab-2015\">2015<\/a>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                                                    <div class=\"our-history__tab-heading-item\">\r\n                                <a href=\"#!\" class=\"js-history-tab-heading \" data-tab=\"tab-2024\">2024<\/a>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                                            <\/div>\r\n                    <div class=\"our-history__tab-content\">\r\n                                                                            <div class=\"our-history__tab-content-item js-history-tab-content active\" id=\"tab-1972\">\r\n                                <div class=\"our-history__tab-wrap\">\r\n                                    <div class=\"our-history__tab-image\">\r\n                                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/thumbnail_image001-1.png\" alt=\"\">\r\n                                    <\/div>\r\n                                    <div class=\"our-history__tab-text\">\r\n                                        <h3>Melba was established in the early 1970s by three families who needed day support for their children with disability.<\/h3>\n<p>With generous support from the community, the Melba Centre opened in Lilydale in 1973, initially supporting children with disability, then later including adults.<\/p>\n<p><em><span class=\"ui-provider a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z ab ac ae af ag ah ai aj ak\" dir=\"ltr\">Picture: The Melba Centre in 1980.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n                                    <\/div>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                                                    <div class=\"our-history__tab-content-item js-history-tab-content \" id=\"tab-1995\">\r\n                                <div class=\"our-history__tab-wrap\">\r\n                                    <div class=\"our-history__tab-image\">\r\n                                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image002.png\" alt=\"image002\">\r\n                                    <\/div>\r\n                                    <div class=\"our-history__tab-text\">\r\n                                        <h3>By the mid 1990s, disability services in Australia were opening community-based homes for people previously living in institutions.<\/h3>\n<p>We changed our name to Melba Support Services and expanded service delivery into homes in Mooroolbark, Lilydale and Mt Evelyn.<\/p>\n                                    <\/div>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                                                    <div class=\"our-history__tab-content-item js-history-tab-content \" id=\"tab-2015\">\r\n                                <div class=\"our-history__tab-wrap\">\r\n                                    <div class=\"our-history__tab-image\">\r\n                                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Rectangle-11-1.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                                    <\/div>\r\n                                    <div class=\"our-history__tab-text\">\r\n                                        <h3>Mergers with like-minded organisations expanded our services across southern Melbourne and the Ballarat region.<\/h3>\n<p>Melba Support Services merged with Impact Support Services (2015) and Karden Disability Support Foundation (2018), and in 2019 services extended again following the transfer of accommodation and respite services from the Victorian Government.<\/p>\n                                    <\/div>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                                                    <div class=\"our-history__tab-content-item js-history-tab-content \" id=\"tab-2024\">\r\n                                <div class=\"our-history__tab-wrap\">\r\n                                    <div class=\"our-history__tab-image\">\r\n                                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/c61936a3f95b445006ba9a14de181422.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                                    <\/div>\r\n                                    <div class=\"our-history__tab-text\">\r\n                                        <h3>Melba\u2019s services now extend from Melbourne\u2019s outer eastern suburbs throughout east and west Gippsland, along the Mornington Peninsula and across the Central Highlands and Wimmera regions.<\/h3>\n<p>It has been a great privilege to support people with disability for more than 50 years and we look forward to continuing the journey over the next 50.<\/p>\n                                    <\/div>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                                            <\/div>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n\r\n                <div class=\"our-history--mobile\">\r\n                    <div class=\"owl-carousel our-history-slider\">\r\n                                                    <div class=\"our-history-slider__item\">\r\n                                <div class=\"our-history-slider__heading\">\r\n                                    <h3>1972<\/h3>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                                <div class=\"our-history-slider__image\">\r\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/thumbnail_image001-1.png\" alt=\"\">\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                                <div class=\"our-history-slider__content\">\r\n                                    <h3>Melba was established in the early 1970s by three families who needed day support for their children with disability.<\/h3>\n<p>With generous support from the community, the Melba Centre opened in Lilydale in 1973, initially supporting children with disability, then later including adults.<\/p>\n<p><em><span class=\"ui-provider a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z ab ac ae af ag ah ai aj ak\" dir=\"ltr\">Picture: The Melba Centre in 1980.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n                                <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                                                    <div class=\"our-history-slider__item\">\r\n                                <div class=\"our-history-slider__heading\">\r\n                                    <h3>1995<\/h3>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                                <div class=\"our-history-slider__image\">\r\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image002.png\" alt=\"image002\">\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                                <div class=\"our-history-slider__content\">\r\n                                    <h3>By the mid 1990s, disability services in Australia were opening community-based homes for people previously living in institutions.<\/h3>\n<p>We changed our name to Melba Support Services and expanded service delivery into homes in Mooroolbark, Lilydale and Mt Evelyn.<\/p>\n                                <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                                                    <div class=\"our-history-slider__item\">\r\n                                <div class=\"our-history-slider__heading\">\r\n                                    <h3>2015<\/h3>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                                <div class=\"our-history-slider__image\">\r\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Rectangle-11-1.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                                <div class=\"our-history-slider__content\">\r\n                                    <h3>Mergers with like-minded organisations expanded our services across southern Melbourne and the Ballarat region.<\/h3>\n<p>Melba Support Services merged with Impact Support Services (2015) and Karden Disability Support Foundation (2018), and in 2019 services extended again following the transfer of accommodation and respite services from the Victorian Government.<\/p>\n                                <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                                                    <div class=\"our-history-slider__item\">\r\n                                <div class=\"our-history-slider__heading\">\r\n                                    <h3>2024<\/h3>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                                <div class=\"our-history-slider__image\">\r\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/c61936a3f95b445006ba9a14de181422.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                                <div class=\"our-history-slider__content\">\r\n                                    <h3>Melba\u2019s services now extend from Melbourne\u2019s outer eastern suburbs throughout east and west Gippsland, along the Mornington Peninsula and across the Central Highlands and Wimmera regions.<\/h3>\n<p>It has been a great privilege to support people with disability for more than 50 years and we look forward to continuing the journey over the next 50.<\/p>\n                                <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                                            <\/div>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1380","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Who We Are | Melba Support Services<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Melba&#039;s vision is a society that values the individuality and rights of all people. 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