HISTORY OF THE COTTAGE
1980
July 1980
Known as Swansea Family Support Service
Used different buildings including the Swansea Baby Health Centre, Marks Point School, Presbyterian Hall, Combined Pensioners Hall, Caves Beach Uniting Church
Coordinator Gail Schultz - Funded by East Lake Macquarie Uniting Church Parish and Department of Youth and Community Services
1982
15 Mar 1982
Approved access to use the cottage at 2 Josephson Street
April 1982
Renamed to the Swansea Community Cottage
18 Aug 1982
Formed a management committee and signed up volunteers
1983
5 Sept 1983
Moved permanently to “The Cottage” premises at 2 Josephson Street Swansea
1984
May 1984
Call for interest to start After School Child Care Services
June 1984
After school Service running with volunteers from 3.30-5pm
Aug/Sept 1984
Vacation Care started
1984
Changed name and became incorporated
1985
Jan 1985
Vacation Care Program with a limit of 20 kids per day. $3 plus excursion costs and themes including Pirate, Nature and Space Weeks
May 1985
30 Children attending vacation care and funding received for 2 staff
1986
Jan 1986
CEP Grants received to employ 2 people (gardener and office administrator) for 6 months
Julie Palmer worked July to December 1986
Andrea Osmond December to mid 1987
Rhonda working with the Cottage as a volunteer
Aug-Sept 1986
Vacation Care is $2/day and $4/family
16 Sept 1986
Changed named to Swansea Community Cottage Management Committee Inc
1987
Carers Group formed by Rhonda (which became Swansea Carers, Eastlakes Neighbour Aid and eventually Lake Macquarie Support Services)
1988
May 1988
Hunter Area Assistance Scheme (2 years funding received) and Rhonda officially employed
1990
25 May 1990
Changed name to Swansea Community Cottage Inc
DOCS took over funding of Cottage