A Brief History of Karumah Inc.

• Board of Management
• Mission Statement
• Strategic Plan - Adobe PDF

Karumah means 'meeting place' in the Awabakal language (the traditional owners in the Newcastle area). Karumah is a meeting place for all those affected by HIV/AIDS.

Karumah Day Centre Incorporated was established as a voluntary organisation in 1988 at the Mackillop House Carrington. We had to relocate because of over crowding to the Salvation Army Hall Lambton.

 The organisation became incorporated under the Associations Act in December 1990. Karumah Day Centre Inc. became Karumah Inc. on the 2nd September 1997.

After the earthquake on 28th December 1989,  the Salvation Army Hall was badly damaged and so Karumah was then relocated to the first floor of the 'Sorrento' Building in Scott Street, Newcastle.

Karumah utilized this site until 1995, when, due to what can be considered "public interest" began to expose the fact that there was a HIV/AIDS service provider in the building and that Karumah"s clientele could be identified coming to and from the building.

In 1995 after lengthy attempts at procuring a new building failed, it was through community interest that the dwelling at 47 Hudson Street, Hamilton was finally offered to Karumah.

Karumah has moved again to a nice house not that far from the old place still near Public Transport e.g. there is a 235 bus stop just over the roads in both directions and about a 5 minutes walk from Hamilton Station.

It operated as a volunteer organisation until it successfully negotiated with NSW Health for funding for its social support service and for the development of a Positive Living Program (PLP) service model in partnership with the Aids Council of NSW (ACON).

The Positive Living Program ceased operation in June 2004, and in July 2004 Karumah received extra funding to provide livings skills programs to people living with HIV/AIDS, and extra funding to have a full time coordinator and part-time admin assistant. In line with the new direction in service delivery and the changed needs of people living with HIV/AIDS Karumah changed from operating as a day centre to be known as a positive living centre.

The Centre provides much needed social contact in a caring and supportive environment for people living with HIV/AIDS, their partners, families and their friends.