By Mary Pianta
Grow Australia is a community-based organisation that has helped thousands of people with their recovery from mental ill-health through a program of mutual support and personal development.
Founded by a Catholic priest, Fr Con Keogh in 1957, GROW continues to provide free, peer-to-peer groups for people looking for support. Over the years, Fr Con and GROW leaders developed a program which is based on lived experience – “12 Steps of Recovery and Personal Growth”.
GROW meetings are confidential and there is no charge for attending a group. All are welcome and no diagnosis or referral is needed. You can choose to remain anonymous. There is no pressure to speak up or share.
Meetings are held weekly, last about two hours and are followed by refreshments. While donations are invited at the end of each meeting to cover venue and refreshment costs, they are always voluntary.
People helping each other might just be the answer for the mental health system which is not coping with the rise in demand for service. There are no waiting lists at GROW! We know that 1 in 6 people have anxiety issues. The GROW Program will help you take positive action towards managing your anxiety and living your best life.
Sign up for an orientation session and learn more about how GROW programs can help you. This is an opportunity to ask questions but no obligation to join. If there is a GROW group near you, just turn up at a meeting because no registrations are needed. See locations listed below.
Benalla – Waminda Community House, 19 Ballintine Street, Benalla. (03) 5762 4528
Meetings: Monday 10.30 a.m. - 12.30 p.m.
Bendigo – Regional Tennis Centre, Nolan Street, Bendigo. (03) 5442 5744
Meetings: Tuesday 2.00 p.m. - 4.00 p.m.
Mooroopna – MEAC Centre, 23 Alexandra Street, Mooroopna. (03) 5825 1774
(operates out of Mooroopna Hub)
Meetings: Thursday 1.00p.m. - 3.00 p.m.
Shepparton – South Shepparton Community Centre, 290-300 Archer Street, South Shepparton.
(03) 5821 6172
Meetings: Monday 7.00 p.m.- 9.00 p.m.
Wodonga – Hyphen –Wodonga Library Gallery, 126 Hovell Street, Wodonga. (02)6022 9330
Meetings: Tuesday 2 p.m. - 4.00 p.m.
Head Office – Caulfield, Victoria. (03) 9528 2977 1800 558 268
ZOOM programs are available.
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
GROW keeps on developing and expanding across Australia.
Mary Pianta. Disability Contact Coordinator. Diocese of Sandhurst.
