Our History

In the early 1950’s a group of parents and concerned citizens formed the Goulburn Group of the Subnormal Children’s Welfare Association.  With the aid of local services clubs two old mission huts were purchased and erected on a block of land purchased in Fenwick Crescent Goulburn. So began the start of Challenge Foundation Goulburn Inc. a school was formed named Crescent School owned by Challenge Foundation Goulburn Inc.  Teachers were retired teachers and citizens.

A bus was purchased again with the assistance of local service clubs.  The bus was driven by volunteers and was used to take children to and from school.  During the day the bus was used by the school.

In the late 1970’s Challenge Foundation Goulburn Inc. passed the School over to the Department of Education.  This allowed the S.C.W.A. to concentrate on accommodation and with the Federal Government Grant a house was purchased at 98 Goldsmith Street Goulburn.  This was to be used as a Hostel for children attending School who lived out of Goulburn City.  Weekends were used for local children for respite who attended the School.  The Crescent Lodge was Officially Opened in 1981.

Two more buses were purchased to transport children to and from school.  Buses went to Crookwell, Braidwood, Tallong, Yass, Collector, Mittagong, Moss Vale and around Goulburn as local bus companies would not transport the children without an aid.  All buses were used at school during the day.

In 1980 S.C.W.A. changed the name to that we are now officially known as today Challenge Foundation Goulburn Incorporated.

Challenge Foundation Goulburn Inc. purchased a house from the Department of Housing in 1991 at 51 Dalley Street Goulburn.  This was named the Crescent Cottage.  With funding from ADD the group home was opened.  Originally we started with five clients now we have four.

The name Crescent was deliberately used by our organisation as the Community of Goulburn were aware of our organisation and the work that we do for disadvantaged children and adults.

Management and Board are pleased to announce our aim has been for the last 15 years is to build a Purpose Built Facility for the disabled people of Goulburn.  We have now purchased the land from the Department of Education on Mary’s Mount Road Goulburn.  The Plans have been drawn up and have been submitted to council for approval.  We look forward to the new direction of Challenge Foundation Goulburn Inc.  We will be running transport to outings, service for disabled people to do their own shopping, attend doctor’s appointments.