Knoxbrooke Incorporated - History

Commencing in 1966 a group of concerned Rotary members in the Ferntree Gully and Sherbrooke regions recognised the need to provide services for intellectually disabled children in the local area.
On Wednesday the 26th July 1967 the first public meeting was held to form a working committee for the Ferntree Gully and Districts Welfare Association for the Intellectually Handicapped (later known as Knoxbrooke Incorporated).
In July 1969 it opened its doors to the Knoxbrooke Day Training Centre for 20 special needs children.
1976 saw the introduction of the Adult Training and Support Centre at the Burwood Highway site, allowing clients who were over 18 to move from the day training centre to the adult service with little disruption.
In 1991 the Department of Education took over the running of the Day Training Centre and Knoxbrooke expanded its service for adults.
Soon after taking over the day training centre the Department of Education moved it off this site.
When some clients had progressed through the then ATC programs (which consisted of education and training in practical life skills, work skills, leisure skills etc.) and required more challenging opportunities, a Supported and Open Employment Annexe was established in February 1985 to provide a “flow through” service to employment to Knoxbrooke clients.
Knoxbrooke discontinued its involvement in Open Employment and in September 1990 it reinforced its Supported Employment program by purchasing a 5-acre property at The Patch for a nursery.
Knoxbrooke Industries were at 977 Burwood Highway however it has moved to several locations until it settled at 2 Francis Crescent where it is now located.
In 2001 Knoxbrooke purchased the Yarra View Nursery in Mt Evelyn from St John of God and increased its Supported Employment program.
The Haven Supported Accommodation service was established in 1984.

Today Knoxbrooke’s operations encompass:

• Independent Living, 11 clients in units
  • Bayswater
• Supported Accommodation, 12 clients in two houses
  • Ferntree Gully and Bayswater
• Day Service, 120 clients
  • 977 Burwood Highway
    Ferntree Gully
• Supported Employment, 112 clients covering
  Knoxbrooke Industries
  Packaging and Material Handling
  • 2 Francis Crescent
    Ferntree Gully
  Yarra View Wholesale Nursery
  The Home of Garden Lovers Retail Nursery
  Bonsai The imagination Tree
  The Home of Landscaping and Design
  
  • all at 136 York Road
    Mt Evelyn
• Registered training organisation with over 200 students