At that time, Yooralla and the Spastic Society were operating large hostels but most people (particularly those with more severe multiple disabilities associated with cerebral palsy) were placed at Kew Cottages or St Nicholas Hospital if their families were unable to continue home care.

Ashcare's founders believed that if other people with mild or moderate disabilities could live with support in community housing (as was being established at that time), then so could their family members and this became their goal!

They secured land in Blackburn South from the City of Nunawading, raised funds and obtained a Federal Government building grant. The first two homes were built as two adjacent units. Staffing support was initially funded by the Federal Government until the introduction of the Commonwealth-States Disability Agreement.

Ashcare believes that these two homes were the first non-government community residential services established in Victoria for people with severe physical disabilities, as well as the first services to operate outside the nursing/health model of care.

Development of the services was eventually supported by Government funding within the criteria established by the disability Services Act, 1986.

Our members continued to work tirelessly throughout the years seeking support and funding, culminating in the construction of our third residence in Warranwood which was opened on 10 September 1997.

Construction of our fourth architecturally-designed residence in Burwood was completed in October 2006, with the official opening ceremony conducted by the Governor of Victoria in December of that year.