History
1967-1990
In 1967, Pastor Fullwood, an Assembly of God minister of some twenty years standing became involved with the mentally ill when several troubled people came to him for help. Inspired by Isaiah 58:5-12, and sensing their need for full time care, he brought them into his own home. The Fullwood’s increasing involvement with the mentally ill lead to the establishment, in 1968, of Quest Care (then known as New Life Centre) as an independent enterprise.
When this work began, psychiatric care was synonymous with special hospitals & locked wards. In such a social climate, Pastor and Mrs Fullwood's work of caring for and working actively with mentally ill persons in a non-institutional, family setting was truly a pioneering venture. It was said at that the time that there was no Australian equivalent to this work, and only one similar enterprise in England.
In 1970 the need for a home for troubled children was discerned. Subsequently a children’s unit under the directorship of Mrs June Wrigley (nee Williamson) was established in Ipswich. However, neither this work with children nor the work with adults attracted government funding. Donations, parent payments, and support from the work with adult maintained the children’s unit. The children’s unit continued until 1990.
During the first 23 years New Life Centre (later Quest Care Inc) received no recurrent government funding. This necessitated of substantial reliance on voluntarism by all concerned. Many voluntary staff have been involved over the years, right through to the present, and for this we are extremely grateful.
Other housing options were tried from time to time. These included troubled persons staying with other involved families. Other services provided, between 1968 and 1990, included a 24 hour telephone counselling, a 24 hour crisis care and a marriage guidance service. Some of these services were replaced by other Ipswich services as they were established with both the brief and funding source to match. During this time student psychiatric nurses & student psychology students also frequently undertook placements at Quest Care.
Pastor Fullwood continued as the director working with adults until his retirement in 1990. During this period a daily program was formulated to draw people out of the soul-destroying confusion of mental illness, and back into reality. Many types of groups were, and continue to be used to help the person in need form genuine, meaningful relationships. An ongoing emphasis has been to motivate troubled people towards finding both successful vocational & relational living.
Mrs Fullwood, in particualr, provided the practical, day-to-day base that underpinned this successful work. She gave to those coming into her home a faith in their ability to make progress. She conveyed a sense of acceptance & stability. Without her, this family-based work would have been impossible.
In 1987 New Life Centre became Quest Care Inc and became subject to the provisions of the Incorporated Associations Act (Qld). Amongst other things, this Act requires administration by a Management Committee that is constitutionally responsible to the whole Quest Care membership and to the public through the provisions of the Act.
In 1992 Pastor Fullwood received the Order of Australia for his work with the mentally ill.
1990 to Date
In July 1990 severe illness forced the Fullwoods to retire. During the same period the children’s unit was closed due to lack of funds. In August 1990 Peter and Donna Gee were became Directors and began their 8 year stint as the resident host family.
During that first year, Peter continued his full-time work as a Child Care Officer / Resource Officer with Dept Family Services & Aboriginal & Islander Affairs and Donna took the full brunt of the work.
In July 1991 Quest Care received regular government financial support for the first time. This financial support base has continued firstly under Qld Health and then from 2007 under the Qld Disability Services. In 1991 Quest Care also received funds a substantial private donation from a Christian businesswoman for the renovation of the existing premises.
1998 was a big year for Quest Care.
In May, Quest Care affiliated with the Qld Congregational Fellowship. Congregational polity ensures Quest Care’s continued autonomy [essential for a service that seeks to assist the mentally ill], while providing mutual support and accountablity within a wider Church.
In November 1998, the Morris family took up residence as our host-family. They continue to provide this invaluable service.
In December 1998, Quest Care became a registered training organisation and offered Diplomas in Community Service mental health non-clinical and Diplomas in Community Service alcohol & other drugs. The lecturers donated their time and energies. Unfortunately, this service ceased in 2004 due to lack of funding. Lastly, social worker Mrs Julie Pook began to provide part-time sessional counselling at Quest Care. Her target group was those with eating disorders. She continued this work until 2003.
Summary
During the forty years since its inception over seven thousand people have come from all over Australia for help. They have been referred by psychiatric hospitals, welfare organisations, prisons, police, churches, schools, doctors, psychiatrists, by family / friends and by ex-residents and counselees.
In the midst of all the busy-ness, the inspiration of Is 58:5-12, has found its fulfilment in our meeting with Jesus incognito (see Mat 25:35-40) in the many strangers who have become part of our bigger family-community. This includes both those in need and those offering assistance. It also includes the many students from diverse training institutions who have had placements at Quest Care. We have had psychiatric nurses [Wolston Park Hospital], generic & mental health nurses [ACU & QUT]; psychology students [Uni of Qld]; social welfare students [Bremer TAFE]; theology students [Trinity College]; and counselling students [Heritage College]. We thank everyone involved for their unqiue and valuable contribution.
