About Lifeline Central Coast (NSW)

Administration: 15 Cary Street Wyoming 2250

Telephone: 4323-6105

Fax: 4324-2753

Email: ceocc@lifelinecentralcoastnsw.org

Web address

http://www.lifeline.org.au/centralcoastnsw

Postal Address: P.O. Box 9094, Wyoming, 2250

Chief Executive Officer: Christine Kettleton                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Telephone Crisis Support Coordinator: Clare Fitzpatricke                                                                                                                                                                                                             Training & Development Manager: Filiz Niyazi

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Trading Manager: Michael Rickard

Lifeline Central Coast (NSW)

Vision Statement

"Our vision is to bring

hope and understanding

to those in need,

so they can be empowered,

and grow".

Lifeline Central Coast (NSW)

Mission Statement

"The mission of Lifeline Central Coast (NSW) is to provide

high quality 24 hour crisis support,

and associated community services.

Lifeline's services express the Christian vision

of caring for people of all backgrounds

and circumstances."

At the bottom of this page is a short story in pictures describing how the Lifeline organisation works: from donated clothing to providing our valuable telephone crisis support service.

Location

The Administration Office and Training Centre is located at 15 Cary Street, Wyoming between Pacific Highway and Henry Parry Drive, just north of Gosford.

You will find us opposite the Wyoming Veterinary Hospital.The nearest railway station is Gosford, which is approximately 20 minutes' walk. There is a bus service from Gosford which is a Number 40. The bus stop is outside ANZ Bank on Pacific Highway, Gosford. Alight at Our Lady of the Rosary Primary School, Henry Parry Drive and cross the road to Cary Street.

History

How The Lifeline Organisation Began

The idea of a Lifeline service began one night when a young man in desperation phoned Rev. Alan Walker, the Superintendent of Wesley Central Mission in Sydney. He had no home, no money - he said he wanted to die. Rev. Alan Walker persuaded the young man to attend the following Sunday Evening Service, which he did. Rev. Alan Walker was contacted early that week regarding the death of this man. A note was pinned to the man and addressed to the Reverend. Two persons attended the funeral; they were the Rev. Alan Walker and his wife.

This sad experience pointed out the need for a crisis telephone service where trained and caring people could help those in desperate situations.

The Late Reverend Sir Alan Walker

So Rev. Alan Walker began Lifeline as a Christian service for the community and the first call was received on the 16th March 1963.

The need for Lifeline has been justified time and time again, year after year, with well over 549,870 counselling calls to Lifeline throughout Australia in the past 12 months alone. Lifeline is now an international organisation and currently operates in 13 countries. There are 235 centres including 42 in Australia.

A Brief History of Lifeline Central Coast (NSW)

Lifeline Central Coast, began in Gosford in March 1981. It was formally opened at the Uniting Church Hall, Donnison Street, Gosford. The first call was taken at 1500 hr., officially at 377 Mann Street, Gosford. This building not only housed the Telephone Service and the Administration offices but also Lifeline's first shop for the Central Coast. Today, Lifeline Central Coast (NSW) has 6 shops, a furniture shop and warehouse.

In 1986 Lifeline Central Coast moved to the current offices in Cary Street. Its name changed to Lifeline Central Coast (NSW) in 1988. A building appeal was launched in 1997 to raise funds for a training centre and in October 1999, the new Training Centre was opened by the NSW Governor Gordon Samuals AC.

In 2003, Lifeline Central Coast (NSW) was once again awarded full Accreditation from Lifeline Australia Incorporated. The Lifeline Accreditation and Standards Program (LASP) was designed in response to the community and government requiring higher levels of accountability. It stands behind the commitment of Lifeline Centres to continuous improvement and the achievement of high standards of service to all our clients.

In 2001 we also became a Registered Training Organisation offering the Certificate IV in Telephone Counselling Skills. This is nationally recognised qualification, and Lifeline Central Coast was the one of the first centres in a pilot programme to train and qualify counsellors in the Certificate IV.

Below is a short story in pictures: