The Avalon centre was opened in 1987 at North Caulfield . It was established originally as a centre of creativity and natural healing. A variety of workshops, ongoing events and practitioners were based at the centre to provide a range of services and opportunities.

Planting the apple tree in 1987; our 21st birthday in 2008 saw the planting of a new tree for the new Avalon.

One programme offered was called ‘CreativeABILITY DisABILITY’. The objective of the programme was to provide creative opportunities and integration for people who were disadvantaged in some way (physical, intellectual, emotional, psychological, sensory or social). This became the main focus of Avalon when it relocated to its new home in East Malvern . Programmes were set up to provide opportunities for creative expression, interaction, and support. The Drop-In facility originally established in the North Caulfield Centre continues to be a vital part of the Centre, attracting a wide range of visitors.

In 1997 Avalon moved to its present location at

Avalon is expanding and reaching out! For many years Avalon focused its activities at the Centre and, whilst this has provided an important support for all those who visited, it became apparent that it was time for Avalon to move out into the community and look at those whose needs are not being met by larger, better-known groups; also, many - especially the intellectually disabled who have long been our core focus - cannot make, nor afford, the trip to the Centre. 

So, late in 2008 a new committee was formed, and decided on the purchase of a new 12-seater bus, giving us the ability to proactively seek out and help those in need. We also decided to seek Deductible Gift Recipient status - to encourage prospective donors - to whom we also offered the ability to decide in what area, or for which group, their donation was to be used. 

Avalon is a unique centre with a focus on meeting unmet needs. It aims to help those people who have slipped through the cracks; to assist those who have been forgotten, overlooked or left behind; we want to embrace the seemingly impossible.

In pursuit of this goal Avalon has taken the unique approach of putting no limits or restrictions on the creative input of our volunteers and step outside the square.  For example, at the suggestion of one volunteer, within 24 hours of Black Saturday we were using our bus to take donated goods directly to the relief centres, liaising directly with the affected communities to ensure they were getting what they needed. 

Any new initiatives, however, have been in addition to our prior - and ongoing - commitment to the group whose needs have always been our primary focus: the intellectually disabled and their carers.

With a Centre, a bus and a group of committed and passionate volunteers, nothing is unachievable.