The Federal Government launched the Community Visitors Scheme in 1992 and the Merimbula Uniting Church was given funding to start the local service in 2000, with the first two Coordinators being volunteers.

2000     

First Coordinator Dilys Abbott, with volunteers visiting residents in aged care facilities in the Bega Shire.

2002    

Second Coordinator Corinne Nicolson OAM

2010    

Third Coordinator Susie Morrison, the first to be paid under the CVS scheme.

2014   

December – Formation of a Management Committee (UnitingCare Merimbula), under the auspices of the NSW Uniting Church Synod.   

The Chairperson has since been the current serving minister, the Treasurer has been the person who holds that role in the Merimbula Church Council (although these roles are not specifically prescribed that way), and other Committee members have been appointed for a three year tenure. Re-election has been staggered so there is continuity of membership. The Coordinator is an ex officio member of the Committee.

2018    

Fourth Coordinator Greg Wollaston.

The Service was expanded to include visits to recipients in their own homes and UnitingCare Merimbula’s submission for funding was successful.

2022    

Fifth Coordinator Therese Griffiths

2023   

UnitingCare Merimbula’s submission for a new round of funding was successful.

In July the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care changed the program’s name to Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS).

August – Sixth Coordinator Lee Todd