About the Men & Family Centre

how we started

The Men & Family Centre began as an initiative of local men and women concerned with the needs of men and their familiesin the Northern Rivers of NSW Australia.  Mensline, a telephone help line bega in 1992. By 1994 up to one third of all callers to this phone counselling service were asking for support to end their use of violence and abuse. The MEND program was developed to meet this need. It soon became apparent that further courses on Self Esteem, Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse, Loss & Grief, etc were needed.

The Men & Family Centre, incorporated in 2000, now combines a core of skilled and experienced group facilitators and counsellors with a committed pool of volunteers to provide support for men and women in a wide variety of ways. Government departments acknowledge the value of the Men & Family Centre to the community, and the success of its programs, with the increased funding that the organisation continues to attract. Read Media Releases...

The Men & Family Centre offers a variety of programs & courses, and community development services to men and their families. It is based in Lismore, Northern NSW, Australia. People working at and visiting the centre enjoy a vibrant and respectful environment created by one of the centre's central practices 'Walk the Talk'.

professional partners

The Men & Family Centre is a non-profit, non-government organisation managed by a committee of local community representatives. It has ‘registered charity’ status and no religious affiliations. The Men & Family Centre works closely with a number of community organisations to present a ‘bestpractice’, integrated service approach. Some of these organisations are:

• Rekindling the Spirit
• North Coast TAFE
• Northern Rivers Area Health Service
• Dept. of Community Services
• NSW Police Dept.
• NSW Dept. of Corrective Services
• Lismore Sexual Assault Service
• Lismore Women’s & Children’s Refuge
• Children’s Contact Centre
• Lismore Family Relationship Centre
• Women Up North Housing Inc.

our goals

• To foster fulfilling and respectful relationships.
• To improve the wellbeing of men and families.
• To invite men and women to take responsibility for their behaviour.
• To increase social services for men.

Australian Violence Prevention Award Winner

Funding provided by:

• NSW Dept. of Community Services
• Dept. of Family, Community Services & Indigenous Affairs
• Dept. of Health