Founder George Ardill, a printer and preacher, opens a Women’s Refuge in Sussex St Sydney known as the Home of Hope
The Sydney Rescue Society (The Society) was formed to continue the work of George Ardill, led by the Chief Justice of NSW, Sir Fredrick Darley.
The Society was by now managing a number of agencies serving the community such as the South Sydney Women’s Hospital, the Jubilee Home for working and unemployed women, the Adoption Agency and Roslyn Hall Babies Home (Rockdale).
The services of the Society had extended to a District Nursing Service, several mission halls and George Ardill himself was active in social advocacy for the needy and outcast.
George Ardill was awarded an MBE for services to the community.
George Ardill retires at the age of 86 having served as a Director for a period of 61 years and is succeeded by Rev Dr Harold Whitmore Dart, a Baptist minister.
Dr Dart concludes his service and was subsequently awarded an OBE for service to the community.
The Society had by now extended its services to include Lidcombe State Hospital Mission, the provision of food and clothing for homeless and destitute men and women, support for single and unmarried pregnant girls and a hostel for business girls.
A pilot project was commenced in the field of day care for children and the Society sought to find a new direction in its activities.
By this year the Society had established a network of child care services and had reinvented itself as a specialist in this area of community need. Toward the end of this period leading up to the year 2000 the Society had changed its name to Communicare.
Communicare changed its name to Integricare, having established itself in the early learning sector and providing services in family day care, supported playgroups and family support services.
With over 200 employees and 13 early learning centres, Integricare also offers caring support services to families in need.