1953
The Y’s Men’s Club, a sub-brand of the YMCA, was encouraged to establish a facility in Ballarat to provide education, welfare and therapy for children with disabilities.
1955
The facility was officially opened in 1955 by the Honourable Henry Bolte MP.
1970
Nancy McCallum and seven of her Honorary Probation Officer friends identified the need to provide local accommodation and support for young women appearing before the courts and being sent to institutions away from Ballarat.
1980
Robert Austin McCallum passes away from a cerebral aneurism he sustained after serious head trauma following a fall. Austin was aged 63.
1984
Ballarat Regional Industries is established to gain support for a Ballarat and District Community Industries “sheltered workshop”.
1993
McCallum completes construction of its new administration building on the corner of Learmonth and Leopold Streets.
1997
A merger with “Central Highlands Regional Residents Association for Intellectually Disabled Persons” and “Central Highlands Independent Living Inc.” formed McCallum Disability Services Inc.
2018
The $1.8m Albert Street housing development was completed to provide a new, more inclusive community for eight young people living with disabilities.
2018
McCallum opens its Sturt Street office in the former Union Hotel (11 Sturt Street). This office is home to McCallum’s “Central Intake & Support Coordination” team.
2019
McCallum begins renovations of McCallum Industries (1820 Sturt Street). The renovation included cosmetic upgrades, amenity improvements, as well as construction of storage sheds.
2020
A new purpose-built house constructed in Lucas to the Specialised Disability Accommodation “Improved Livability” category under the NDIS.
2022
McCallum merges with Ballarat Regional Industries (BRI) to create the largest social enterprise in Western Victoria.
A community story that began with Austin and Nancy McCallum
McCallum’s history begins with two remarkable people — Austin and Nancy McCallum — whose compassion, courage and community spirit shaped the organisation we know today. Their story is one of resilience, advocacy and a deep belief in supporting people to live full and meaningful lives.
Nancy once said: “One little thing can change not only the life of a person, but the life of a town.”
That belief continues to guide McCallum’s work across Ballarat, St Arnaud and the Central Highlands region.
Early lives shaped by community
Nancy and Austin both grew up in Ballarat, “worlds apart” on opposite ends of Barkly Street, yet connected by a shared commitment to community. Nancy worked as a milliner and later as an Honorary Probation Officer, supporting young women who needed safe accommodation and guidance. Austin served in World War II, surviving three and a half years as a prisoner of war, an experience that shaped his lifelong dedication to fairness, justice and community service.
Their home in Mount Pleasant became a place filled with books, conversation and a strong sense of purpose.
A life of service and advocacy
After the war, Austin returned to Ballarat and worked as a journalist at The Courier. He became known for his distinctive writing style and his passion for literature, theatre and local history. He helped establish the Central Highlands Regional Library, the Ballarat Historical Society and the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery.
Austin and Nancy were also active voices for social justice. They opposed conscription during the Vietnam War and supported their sons through conscientious objection cases, a reflection of their strong values and belief in standing up for what is right.
Inspired to support families in Ballarat
In the 1950s, Austin and Nancy were influenced by the work of Dr Eric Cunningham Dax, a pioneer in psychiatric art therapies. His approach inspired them to support local families with children with disability, long before disability services existed in the region.
Nancy recalled feeling compelled to help: “We wanted to do something to help somebody.”
This simple intention became the foundation of McCallum’s future.
The beginning of McCallum as we know it
In 1953, Austin (then President of the Y’s Men’s Club) was encouraged to establish a local facility offering education, welfare and therapy for children with disability. With support from community leaders such as Jack Sheehan, the first McCallum facility opened in 1955, supported by the Victorian Government and local tradespeople.
The organisation was later named McCallum House in honour of Austin’s contribution. A decision made at a meeting he did not attend, but one that reflected the community’s deep respect for his work.
A legacy that continues today
Austin passed away in 1982, but his impact on Ballarat and the wider region remains profound. Nancy continued to live a full and active life, travelling, volunteering and staying connected to the community she helped shape. She was inducted as a Life Member of McCallum in 2021, recognised for her “forward thinking and community spirit” that helped build an organisation now supporting hundreds of people across Western Victoria.
Their story is more than history — it is the foundation of McCallum’s purpose:
We partner with participants to create their best life.
