About Us

2025

In March Veritas was the successful recipient of a $589,000 grant from the NSW Governments Housing Innovation Fund (HIF) to build 3 villas in Bathurst providing much needed temporary and transitional accommodation.

In April, we were successful in becoming registered as a Tier 3 Community Housing Provider.

May, saw Veritas achieve National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Accreditation, a major milestone for the organisation.

At the end of June our two-year TI-IPS pilot concluded. We are currently seeking funding to continue this very successful program.

Following our successful HIF grant we also became a registered Temporary Accommodation provider. Veritas secured a 1bedroom unit in Bathurst through the Bathurst Council and will begin to provide Temporary Accommodation (TA) as a TA provider.

2024

In February a new company limited by guarantee was created - Veritas House Support Services (VHSS). This new entity is a registered charity with Public Benevolent Institution (PBI) status and was created to bring our clinical, case work support and NDIS business units under the one entity.

In August, we made the big leap towards sustainability by purchasing 98 Keppel Street, Bathurst, providing a ‘permanent home’ for Veritas House.

We received an additional 2 years of funding for PYI with a name change from Premiers Youth Initiative (PYI) to Youth Initiative (YI). With this change saw an increase to the eligibility age allowing us to support more vulnerable young people across the community.

In December Veritas secured $500,000 from the NSW Governments Housing Innovation Fund Grants Program to redevelop and repurpose a Kindergarten Hall in Orange for Supported Temporary Accommodation and Transitional Youth Accommodation. This is an exciting new project that will provide 7 purpose-built youth friendly transitional and temporary accommodation units for Orange young people and families.

The executive Structure has changed with the addition of a Head of Operations Role and a Head of Finance and Business.

We were a successful candidate of a $20,000 donation from Cadia Mines to refurbish our contact room, multi-purpose room and SHS chill out space in our Orange office.

2023

Veritas received another 5 years accreditation with the Office of the Children’s Guardian to be able to continue to provide Out of Home Care Services.

We welcomed our first Occupational Therapist into the Clinical and Consultation Services Team. This marked a significant achievement providing much needed support to those at Veritas and in the community.

In June, we launched our Trauma Informed-Individual Placement Support Program (TI-IPs) in conjunction with Orygen with funding from the Federal Government through the Local Jobs Program. This program supports young people with a trauma background to gain and maintain the employment, whilst also supporting the employer understand and provide any workplace adjustments.

In July, we partnered with the RSL Bathurst to renovate and launch a transitional property to meet the needs of families involved in our Targeted Family Support (TFS) program who are experiencing homelessness.

October 2023, we received the Western NSW PHN contract to deliver ongoing care and psychological support to the town of Eugowra that was struck by devastating floods in December 2022. This left the community grappling with the physical and emotional toll of the disaster.

Veritas has grown to 111 employees.

2022

End of an era – we say goodbye to our office at 106-108 Russell Street and relocate to 98 Keppel Street Bathurst.

Veritas undertook a brand refresh that included updating our treasured Veritas House logo to a more contemporary design.

Veritas House celebrated its 40th year anniversary with a Winter Ball hosted at the Goldfields. With 400 people in attendance, the ball raised an incredible $60,000 for Transitional Youth Housing to support local young people at risk of or experiencing homelessness to live independently. A massive thanks to our sponsors and the local community.

We brought our Education and Employment arm of the PYI program in house and partnered with Orygen – The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health - to learn about their IPS model and how we could use this with a trauma informed lens.

We purchased a transitional youth property in Orange. This 2 bedroom unit will provide a secure and supported housing pathway for young people. Veritas received a $60,000 grant through the Newcastle Permanent Charitable foundation to refurbish the property.

Veritas OOHC launces our Carer Advisory Group which supports and encourages a healthy, collaborative approach between Veritas and our carers engaged in the Permanency Support Program.

In August, the decision was made to close our second Interim Care House – Helix.
Veritas House have supported 900 children, young people and families in Western NSW at the end of this financial year.

2021

Veritas launches Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) training program, with two in house trainers, demonstrating our commitment to implementing a crisis prevention and intervention system across the agency. This program seeks to create a trauma-sensitive environment where service users are safe and supported to learn emotional regulation and effective coping skills.

In June, Veritas receives a $100,000 donation from the Brian Grant Trust. This kickstarted the fundraising to purchase a residential property in the local community for transitional accommodation.

Due to the demand in the region, Veritas opened their second ICM house in Bathurst called Helix House.

We had to postpone our 40th Year Winter Ball celebrations due to covid.

In November 2021, our Specialist Homelessness Service achieved accreditation in the Australian Service Excellence Standards (ASES).

2020

Veritas successfully continued to deliver services through the Covid-19 pandemic to services throughout Western NSW.

January, Veritas House was one of the first providers in NSW to launch an Interim Care House known as ‘Wambinya’.

Wambinya is a Wiradjuri word for ‘support’. This is a model designed to provide accommodation and support for children and young people whilst a more permanent placement is identified.

2019

The Clinical and Consultation Services (CCS) team was established in March originally with two staff and grew to 5 staff by the end of the year. The vision was to ensure all services users received access to timely mental health and therapy services.

Veritas was granted the tender for Supported Independent Living Services (SILS) in late 2019. Supported Independent Living Services (SILS) is an initiative designed to support young people leaving Statutory Care, aged between 16-17 years to be supported to live in their own privately rented, independent living accommodation.

Veritas introduced their yearly Foster Carer of the Year Awards recognising the valuable contributions of Carers.

During this year, Veritas undertook the process of redefining and refreshing our values: Relationships, Collaboration, Compassion and Authenticity.

Addition of a new office in Bentinck Street Bathurst to accommodate our clinical team and growth of the wider agency.

2018

Veritas opens a new office in Sale Street, Orange, bringing all of the services under one roof and includes our Premiers Youth Initiative (PYI) community housing provider partner, My Foundations Youth Housing.

Veritas achieves full accreditation by the Office of the Children’s Guardian to deliver Out of Home Care (Foster Care) services for five years. Veritas also commences the process to attain Voluntary Out of Home Care accreditation with the OCG after being re-contracted by Juvenile Justice to deliver Bail Assistance Line accommodation supports.

Veritas House transfers from an Incorporated Association to a registered Australian Public Company, Limited by Guarantee with the Australian Security & Investment Commission, including a revised Constitution and Board Charter, creating a solid platform from which Veritas is governed.

2017

Veritas is awarded the contract by FACS to deliver the Premier’s Youth Initiative for Western NSW, a pilot program designed to support young people aged 16-17 who are leaving OOHC and vulnerable to homelessness to live independently.

2016

The organisation has grown to operate over five sites in Bathurst and Orange and now employs more than 70 people.

Veritas secures stage two of the Homeless Youth Assistance Program (HYAP) ensuring services for 12-15 year old young people in Central Western NSW.
Veritas sets up an Out of Guidelines Residential House called Melaleuca to support young people in our service in need of this model.

Equine Therapy camps were held for children and young people in Out of Home Care at Yarrabin. These camps focused on Bruce Perry’s 6 Core strengths.

2015

Veritas House is contracted by Juvenile Justice to deliver the Bail Assistance Line service to provide accommodation, transport and casework assistance to young people who are in police custody and unable to meet their bail conditions due to homelessness.

Veritas House attains full accreditation by the Office of the Children’s Guardian to deliver Out of Home Care (Foster Care) services – a major achievement for one of the smallest start-up providers of OOHC in the state.

2014

Following the Going Home Staying Home reforms by Family and Community Services (FACS), Veritas House retains delivery of the Bathurst Youth Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) and successfully secured the Orange Youth Specialist Homelessness Services, bringing two like-minded, community-based organisations together.

As a result of significant growth Veritas opens a second office in Lords Place Orange and moves to new larger premises at 106-108 Russell Street, Bathurst. Agency programs now include Foster Care, Specialist Homelessness Services, Adolescent & Family Counselling and Casework Support Services, and as a result of consistent sector lobbying Veritas secured stage one of the Homeless Youth Assistance Program (HYAP), providing much-needed resources to vulnerable 12-15 year old young people.

2013

Veritas House is successful in securing funding for Out of Home Care (Foster Care) services and in establishing an Out of Home Care 24/7 residential unit. The Veritas House Winter Wonderland Fundraising Ball celebrates Veritas’ 30th anniversary and raises more than $10,000.

Veritas establishes the Casework Support Services to provide supervised contacts, transports and mentoring sessions to children and young people in Out of Home Care (OOHC).

2011

Veritas House successfully gained Community Housing Registration with the Registrar of Community Housing. Implementation of the Youth and Family Support service, through the Early Intervention and Placement Prevention funding stream administered by Human Services Family and Community Services. Said goodbye to much loved Youth Adventure Program, Backtracks.

2010

Development of the Veritas House Strategic Plan. Service co-location to 95 Keppel Street, Bathurst. Extension of Better Futures contract to facilitate the Get REAL @ Relationships program in local schools.

2005

Transitional Youth Housing Project created in partnership with Orange & District Youth Refuge, Central Tablelands Housing Association, Housing NSW, DoCS and Mission Australia SAAP Services to address the difficulty young people aged 16-18 experience in accessing medium term accommodation and support in the Orange community.

2001

Agreed to auspice Backtracks, Youth In Search camps and Aboriginal Cultural Camps. After a few years, they later became autonomous and independent of Veritas House. Concerns with the suitability of the Bathurst refuge building and of the location continue.

2000

MYOB accounting introduced. Issues concerning the suitability of the location of the Bathurst refuge are becoming acute.

1997

A comprehensive training program and training manual was developed for all prospective employees and work experience students.

1995

DoCS funding was adjusted towards the end of this year, to somewhat appropriate levels.

1993

A fire at the Bathurst youth refuge damaged the bedroom and bathroom areas. For the six weeks it took to complete the repairs, the service continued to function. Name changed to Veritas House Inc. in recognition of services in addition to the refuge. The Model Rules for Associations recommended by the NSW Department of Consumer Affairs was formally adopted. The year was characterised by a major funding crisis; medium term accommodation in Bathurst temporarily closed to cope.

1992

In response to the Usher Report’s recommendations for the 'deinstitutionalisation' of substitute care for children and adolescents, DoCS increased Veritas House funding. Initial funding also received for an Outreach worker in Bathurst.

1991

DoCS agreed to fund an additional staff position in Bathurst, that of a Housing Support Worker. Medium term accommodation moved from West Bathurst closer to the Bathurst Centre. All staff covered by the new Social and Community Services Award. Bathurst staff comprised of 4.5 youth workers at the youth refuge, one at medium term, and one Counsellor in Adolescent and Family Counselling.

1988

Due to financial constraints, staff in Bathurst had to be reduced to 3.5 workers. The Keppel Street property was bought by the NSW Department of Housing, which gave the youth refuge security of tenure. The “Workout Scheme”, supervised by staff, was introduced in Bathurst to provide residents with job opportunities.

1987

Approached by the NSW Department of Community Services (DoCS) to take on the additional service of Adolescent and Family Counsellor in Bathurst. Management accepted this proposal and the corresponding funding. First funding of a full-time position for the medium-term service.

1986

Veritas House Incorporated pursuant to the NSW Associations Incorporation Act, operating as Veritas House Youth Refuge Inc.

1985

Medium term accommodation services in Keppel Street, Bathurst moved to new premises.

1984

Bathurst youth refuge moved to another house (provided by Department of Corrective Services) in Keppel Street. The employment of a fourth worker enabled the crisis refuge to be open 24 hours a day, Monday to Friday.

1983

Two youth workers were employed by Veritas House and became independent of Bathurst Youth Service. Bathurst youth refuge moved to larger quarters on Sydney Road, Kelso and the former premises in Keppel Street was turned into medium term accommodation for homeless young people between 15 and 21.

1982

Bathurst youth refuge moved to Keppel Street; there were then two live-in voluntary supervisors. First funding obtained from Youth & Community Services (“YACS”, as Family and Community Services – FACS was then known) and Department of Social Security (Centrelink).

1981

Veritas House founded by Bathurst Youth Service, a social action committee of the Uniting Church, Bathurst. Dominican Sisters granted the use of their building for the homeless youth refuge purposes. During its first year, the Bathurst youth refuge housed approximately 100 young people experiencing homelessness.