The Federal Government launched the Community Visitors Scheme in 1992 and the Merimbula Uniting Church was given funding to start the local service in 2000, with the first two Co-ordinators being volunteers.

2000     First Co-ordinator   Dilys Abbott, with volunteers visiting residents in aged care facilities in the Bega Shire.

2002    Second Co-ordinator   Corinne Nicolson OAM

2010    Third Co-ordinator   Susie Morrison, the first to be paid under the CVS scheme.

2014   December – Formation of a Management Committee (UnitingCare Merimbula), under the auspices of the NSW Uniting Church Synod.   The Chairperson has since been the current serving minister, the Treasurer has been the person who holds that role in the Merimbula Church Council (although these roles are not specifically prescribed that way), and other Committee members have been appointed for a three year tenure. Re-election has been staggered so there is continuity of membership. The Co-ordinator is an ex officio member of the Committee.

2018    Fourth Co-ordinator   Greg Wollaston. The Service was expanded to include visits to recipients in their own homes and UnitingCare Merimbula’s submission for funding was successful.

2022    Fifth Co-ordinator   Therese Griffiths

2023   UnitingCare Merimbula’s submission for a new round of funding was successful. In July the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care will change the program’s name to “Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme” (ACVVS).