Mercy health O’Connell Family Centre celebrates 75 years of supporting parents

This November, Mercy Health proudly celebrated 75 years since the O’Connell Family Centre in Canterbury first opened its doors to the community, providing essential support to parents navigating the challenges of raising children.

To mark the milestone, staff and families gathered at the centre to celebrate, and anniversary pins were presented to staff in recognition of their dedication and contributions. Long-serving Family Care Sisters Sr Jill and Sr Michelle attended the event alongside Sr Margaret Ryan, a Sister of Mercy and the first director of Mercy Hospice.

Mercy Health O’Connell Family Centre has helped make parenting a smoother journey for thousands of caregivers

Established in 1949 by Maude O’Connell (founder of the Family Care Sisters), the centre has adapted over the years to meet the evolving needs of families, while upholding Sr O’Connell’s belief in the sanctity of the family unit and importance of supportive services for new parents.

Keira McMahon, Manager/Director of Nursing at Mercy Health O’Connell Family Centre, said, ‘The team’s focus is to support happy, healthy, safe and thriving babies and toddlers by promoting the parent–child relationship, and equipping parents with strategies to achieve their parenting goals. This has been central their success and longevity.

‘Mercy Health O’Connell Family Centre has helped make parenting a smoother journey for thousands of caregivers,’ said Mrs McMahon.

‘We show families how to observe and recognise their child’s cues and tailor a plan together that suits their child’s age and developmental stage, based on evidence-based responsive techniques.’

The O’Connell Family Centre’s multidisciplinary team of nurses, midwives, early parenting practitioners, psychiatrists and psychologists guide parents through a range of challenges such as sleep and settling, feeding, parent and child connection, and understanding behaviour and development.

The centre offers day-stay and residential programs for families with children from newborns to four-year-olds, and staff are committed to fostering a nurturing environment during these formative years.