• YMCA Mission Statement
• Our Vision
• YMCA Values
• Ballarat YMCA History
• Current Structure
• About the YMCA

The YMCAs of Australia work together, from a base of Christian values, to provide opportunities for all people to grow in body, mind and spirit. 

Through the application of the guiding principles of honesty, respect, caring and responsibility, the Ballarat YMCA aims to be a dynamic leader, providing quality programs and opportunities to enhance community life.

YMCA Ballarat can trace its operations back to 1878, when the organization was first established in Main Road. It was the third YMCA formed in Australia behind Melbourne and Geelong, only 34 years after the initial YMCA was established in London by the founder George Williams.

Since 1878, there is a continuous record of community involvement, though particular activities and operations have varied over the decades in response to developing community needs. In the late 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s, the Y was most notably associated with the operation of Ballarat’s major indoor public recreation centre at its Field Street premises, including the only indoor 25 metre swimming pool which was constructed in1976. At that time too the Y was heavily engaged in providing services to young people and operated Ballarat’s first two youth outreach workers who worked with disadvantaged teenagers across Ballarat.

It was mainly because of its involvement in delivering community recreation services that the City of Ballarat formed a partnership with the Y in 1994 to take on the management and operation of the new Ballarat Aquatic Centre located at Prince of Wales Park. The Y also undertook to launch a major community fund raising program and was successful in raising $500,000 from local companies and the general community as a contribution to the capital cost of the new complex.

Twelve years further on, not only does the Y continue to successfully manage the Aquatic Centre, but it has also added a range of other local government contracts that it manages on behalf of local government as well as developing its own YMCA brand of programs and activities.

YMCA Ballarat today incorporates an organisation of approximately 300 staff working in 6-7 major programs areas spread over 22 locations across Western Victoria. It takes great pride in its status as a non-for-profit body controlled by local people.

YMCA Ballarat is also embarking upon a new initiative – along with several other Y Associations at Bendigo, Geelong and Ararat – to introduce a new summer camping activities program which will be offered at no cost to children from disadvantaged homes or with serious illness.

YMCA Ballarat’s structure comprises two Boards that reflect the two key streams of operations:

• YMCA Board– managing the business contacts and major program areas.
• YMCA Youth Services Board – focus on delivering the community development role of the organisation, especially programs for young people.

Both Boards involve local people that give their time and expertise on a voluntary capacity.

YMCA stands for Young Men’s Christian Association. 

The first YMCA was formed in London  in 1844 by a man called George Williams.  The purpose was to meet the physical and spiritual needs of young apprentices in industrial cities.  George William’s goal for opening the YMCA was to provide a safe environment for young men and teaching the men Christian Values.

This concept was soon spread around the world quickly and now there are currently 122 counties that run a YMCA, making the World Alliance of YMCAs one of the largest international community organisations.  Each having a special community involvement either, in supporting youth, or helping those who are less fortunate.

The first YMCA started in Adelaide in 1851 and quickly spread to Melbourne and Sydney in 1853, Hobart Town followed in 1854.  Ballarat originally started in 1878, in Main Road and in 1909 the Camp Street building was opened and operated until 1994 when the YMCA moved to the Ballarat Aquatic Centre.

The YMCA is an organisation which builds strong people, strong families and strong communities.  We have now expanded throughout the state as a not-for-profit organisation, and involve people of all ages and abilities.  Our purpose remains focused on the development of individuals and communities in body , mind and spirit.

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