BCYF History

Barwon Child, Youth & Family (BCYF) was created on July 1, 2015, following a merger between three like-minded Geelong agencies, Glastonbury Community Services, Barwon Youth and Time for Youth.

BCYF was aimed at providing better outcomes for the agencies’ clients through a shared approach, with the vision of “a community where people are safe, connected and empowered to live well” at its heart.

From 2015- 2023 BCYF firmly established itself as a leading not-for-profit community service organisation committed to achieving better outcomes for people and communities across the Barwon region.

The organisation provided life-changing services beginning with the earliest years, via early childhood intervention and support programs, through to kindergarten services and its very important role providing foster care placements for those most vulnerable in our community.

In 2023 BCYF merged with Bethany to become Meli, bringing together more than 150 years of shared experience and expertise, to better serve the changing needs of the community.

Want to know more about BCYF’s rich history? Click below to read the history publication Stronger Together: A history of the founding agencies of Barwon Child, Youth & Family 1855-2018

View BCYF history book

Glastonbury Community Services

Glastonbury Community Services originated in the 1850s when the founders of Geelong responded to the plight of deserted and orphaned children in the community. The Geelong Orphan Asylum opened in 1854 near Fyansford.

In 1925 the orphanage, then known as Geelong and Western District Protestant Orphanage, moved to a new location in Belmont.

From 1977 to 1984 the orphanage was known as Glastonbury Children’s Home.

As the service transitioned to group homes and home-based family services, it was renamed Glastonbury Child and Family Services in 1984 and the organisation moved to Malop St Geelong in 1996.

In 2011 the organisation was renamed Glastonbury Community Services.

In 2015 Glastonbury was one of three agencies that merged to become Barwon Child, Youth & Family.

Barwon Youth history

Barwon Youth commenced in 1981 to provide services to young people in the Barwon South Western Region of Victoria. There was an emphasis on youth work principals, aimed predominantly in the youth justice sphere, as well as transitional accommodation, education and training, and drug and alcohol services.

In 2015 Barwon Youth joined Glastonbury Community Services and Time for Youth to become Barwon Child, Youth & Family.

Time for Youth history

Time for Youth began in the Barwon Region in 1987 and was a leading provider of services for vulnerable young people aged 10 to 25 and their families. Its services included youth and family programs, crisis and transitional accommodation, housing support, as well as initiatives to assist young people to develop their sense of belonging, self-worth and connection to family, school and the community.

The 2015 merger of Time for Youth with Glastonbury Community Servies and Barwon Youth to become BCYF was aimed at providing better outcomes for clients through a shared approach.