The Mission Australia Centre in Surry Hills (the MAC) celebrated 50 years of serving and supporting inner-city Sydney’s most vulnerable.  

To mark this milestone, the MAC is hosted an event that highlighted the impact of a service that has touched thousands of lives and served as a central gathering place for community members seeking to access services and support.   

Attendees included Mission Australia CEO Sharon Callister and the Honourable Rose Jackson MLC, NSW Minister for Housing and Homelessness.   

Founded in 1974 with the aim of supporting and treating those experiencing homelessness with dignity, Campbell House as it was known, provided accommodation and support for men experiencing homelessness and alcohol addiction.   

Campbell House was named after the former President of the Sydney City Mission, the Rev. A.P. Campbell and was established thanks to the advocacy of Charles Chambers, former head of Sydney City Mission and Mission Australia.    

Following a redevelopment of the building, in 2005 the service evolved into the charity’s first Mission Australia Centre. It provides housing and a range of wraparound support services on-site to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Dedicated staff and volunteers provide residents and community members with physical and mental health care, wellbeing and educational services.   

The MAC is also home to Missionbeat, Mission Australia’s service that provides support and outreach to people sleeping rough across inner Sydney.   

Mission Australia CEO Sharon Callister said the MAC had helped countless Sydneysiders access housing and support services and build a better future for themselves. 

“Fifty years after it began, our first Mission Australia Centre continues to exemplify the vision of its founders by providing dignity and care to people experiencing homelessness and serves as a vital hub for Surry Hills and the surrounding community.” 

According to Callister, the MAC offers a huge range of services to both residents and community members, with Mission Australia staff and volunteers ensuring that the most vulnerable locals can get the healthcare and housing support they need.   

“We know that Mission Australia Centres change lives, aid our goals to end homelessness and support people and communities in need to thrive.” 

“A year after receiving support from the Surry Hills team, people who arrived homeless and needing help report feeling healthier, less isolated, are more likely to be employed and to be in stable accommodation.” 

Mission Australia Centres are purpose-built community hubs with services tailored to address the most pressing human needs facing the local community available in the one location. There are three Mission Australia Centres in NSW: Surry Hills, Kingswood and Coffs Harbour.   

“With many Sydneysiders feeling the impact of rising rents, the housing emergency and the ever-increasing cost-of-living, the work that the Mission Australia Centre does to provide essential services and safe, secure housing to those in need is as important as ever.”    

Related: Mission Australia names Governor-General Sam Mostyn AC as Patron

Pearl Dy

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Pearl Dy is a community manager and journalist. She is passionate about business and development particularly involving not-for-profits, charity and social entrepreneurship.

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