Our History
CareSouth, previously known as Shoalcare, began operations in Nowra in 1994. Founder Jim McEwan ran the business from the office of his chemical company in Flinders Estate.
The fledgling organisation started with two direct support programs, The Nowra Youth Refuge and Aunties & Uncles.
As Shoalcare grew, Jim moved the office to the top floor of a small building he owned in Haigh Ave, sharing the space with a saddlery and squash court. The Youth Refuge supported homeless young people and Aunties & Uncles linked children from vulnerable families with community volunteers for added support and direction.
The Aunties & Uncles program expanded into Ulladulla and a foster care program began running in the Illawarra and southern NSW in 2000. Growth into areas outside of the Shoalhaven resulted in an organisational name change from Shoalcare to CareSouth in 2005. The same year, Nowra staff took over the whole of the Haigh Ave building after a boom in staff numbers from a handful to more than 60 staff.
Organisational growth continued across southern NSW and by 2013, service delivery moved into areas of identified need in western NSW. CareSouth’s Deniliquin office opened in April 2013, followed by Griffith in May and Wagga Wagga three years later. Staff continued to outgrow the old building in Nowra and in March 2022, after almost five years of planning, CareSouth officially opened its new purpose-built office space – The Jim McEwan Community Hub – named in honour of its founder.
In the 2020s, CareSouth now employs more than 500 staff in seven offices across regional NSW, offering a range of programs and services. The organisation began with a vision – to create a positive future for children, young people, individuals, families and communities, providing opportunities for people to enhance their quality of life. Jim wanted to “give every kid a terrific life”. It is a vision which continues to this day.
For a full timeline of our history and to discover the stories behind CareSouth’s over 30-year journey, check out our CareSouth History Book 1994 – 2024.
