As it enters middle age, the Mission Australia Centre is still changing lives

Mission Australia celebrated the 50^th anniversary of its Mission Australia Centre in the suburb of Surry Hills.

The MAC, as it is more commonly known, was established to aid inner Sydney’s most vulnerable residents.

In the years since, the service has touched thousands of lives and served as a central gathering place for community members seeking to access services and support.

Founded in 1974 with the aim of supporting and treating men experiencing alcohol addiction and homelessness, the MAC was originally named Campbell House, after the former president of the Sydney City Mission, the Reverend AP Campbell.

Following a redevelopment of the building, in 2005 the service evolved into the nation’s first Mission Australia Centre, providing on-site housing, mental health and other support services to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

The MAC is also home to Missionbeat, a service that assists people sleeping rough across inner Sydney.

The 50^th anniversary event was attended by the NSW Minister for Housing, Homelessness, Mental Health and Youth, Rose Jackson, and the CEO of Mission Australia, Sharon Callister, who said the MAC had provided countless Sydneysiders with access to housing and support services and helped them to build a better future for themselves.

“Fifty years after it began, our first Mission Australia Centre continues to exemplify the vision of its founders by providing dignity and care to people experiencing homelessness and serves as a vital hub for Surry Hills and the surrounding community,” said Ms Callister.

She said the services offered to residents and community members via the MAC, combined with the dedicated efforts of staff and volunteers, ensured the most vulnerable locals could get the healthcare and housing support they needed.

“We know that Mission Australia Centres change lives, aid our goals to end homelessness and support people and communities in need to thrive,” said Ms Callister.

She said a year after receiving support from the Surry Hills team, people who had arrived homeless and needing help reported feeling healthier and less isolated, were more likely to be employed, and were more likely to be in stable accommodation.

“With many Sydneysiders feeling the impact of rising rents, the housing emergency and the ever-increasing cost-of-living, the work that the Mission Australia Centre does to provide essential services and safe, secure housing to those in need is as important as ever.”