BCH firsted opened in 1975 Founded by the local West Heidelberg Community members, Heidelberg City Council Social Worker Mary Morgan and our first CEO Bill Newton, the West Heidelberg Community Health and Welfare Centre was situated in the Administration Block of the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games Village, West Heidelberg.
The space was converted into a series of consulting rooms and community rooms to form the new Community Centre.
The service grew, and incorporated services such as GP's Dentists, Legal Service, Social Work, Youth Work and Nursing. The lively Community Centre became the centre of activity for many local people in West Heidelberg.
By the 1990's the facility was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain, to meet the demands of the community and the growth of the agency. Cracks, leaks, hot summers, cold winters and inappropriate space for the many health professions now working led to a call for some strong advocacy and leadership from the Board.
A concerted campaign was devised with the need for a new purpose built community health facility in West Heidelberg. The facility would demonstrate to the community just how important the Board considered their health.