VACRO's 150th Anniversary Celebration

Please join us for this free, public event to celebrate our 150th Anniversary on the evening of Friday, 30 September at the Assembly Hall in Melbourne..

Reaching 150 years is an extraordinary milestone. Founded almost 30 years before Federation, we are one of Victoria's oldest non-profit organisations. Since 1872, VACRO has continually provided support to people caught in the justice system and their families, constantly evolving to meet the needs of the people we help.

Event details

Like most birthday parties, our 150th Celebration will be a mix of commemoration and reunion. The event will include Minister for Corrections, Sonya Kilkenny MP, former VACRO CEO Judy Lazarus and a number of former staff and participants.

Please register in advance for this free public event.

Details are:

Date: Friday, 30 September

Time: 5.30 PM - 7.30 PM

Address: The Assembly Hall, 156 Collins Street, Melbourne

RSVP: Sunday, 18 September

The Significance of the Assembly Hall

Our organisation (originally known as the Victorian Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society) was formed 150 years ago at the Assembly Hall on Collins Street in Melbourne on 30 July 1872.

The above image is a copy of the minutes from that first meeting in 1872, which reads:

Victorian Discharged Prisoners’ Aid Society

Inaugurated

July 30th 1872 by a conference of citizens held

in the Assembly Hall. Presided over by His Honour Judge

Pohlman.

The original Assembly Hall where our founders met, was opened in 1870 on Collins Street. In 1911, it was demolished and replaced by the ‘new’ Assembly Hall, where we will gather to celebrate. Because of our link to the Assembly Hall, we cannot think of a more fitting venue to host our 150th!

Spread the word!

We would love to see as many people as possible at this significant commemoration, especially people who have worked for or with VACRO, or used our services, or have supported us over the years.

If you know of anyone who may want to attend, please share this page.

Join us as special guests share their VACRO stories. And of course, there will be time for connecting over light refreshments

Please RSVP by Sunday 18 September.

It is free to attend our 150th Anniversary Celebration.

For 150 years we have supported people caught in Victoria's criminal justice system, and their families. To make a donation to help us provide support to people caught in the criminal justice system, and their families, simply follow this link to our website to make a donation and receive a tax receipt for donations of $2 or more.

Host or Publisher VACRO