Our history

CISC has a local history dating back to 1978 but a tradition that originated in war torn Europe. When war was declared in 1939 Citizens Advice Bureaus were established in Britain as an emergency community service. These bureaus provided support, information and material aid for war affected communities.

Closer to home, a public meeting was convened by milkman Ray Perry and resident Joan Reid, to establish just such a service in Cranbourne. The Cranbourne Shire Citizens Advice Bureau opened for business on 23 November 1978. At the time the number of volunteers trained to deliver the service was eight and the bureau ran limited hours: 7 pm - 9 pm Wednesdays and 10 am - 3 pm Thursdays. By February 1979 however sufficient numbers of volunteers had been recruited and trained and the bureau was able to extend its operating hours from Monday to Friday.

Sadly, Ray Perry had passed away and had not seen his plans come into being, but his wife, Avice, continued the Perrys' vision by becoming a volunteer.

In 1998 the bureau changed its name to Cranbourne Information and Support Service. It has assisted nearly 10,000 households each year. Major building renovations were completed in 2011, which have provided clients with a more comfortable and personalised experience and freed up space for delivery of much needed outreach services.

Governance and staffing

CISC is an incorporated not for profit association. It is accountable to government and its funding bodies via a voluntary committee of management who represent, and are drawn from, the local community.

Day to day management of CISC rests with the executive officer, who oversees the organisation's operational activities, as well as the management of CISC's paid and volunteer staff.

Both paid and volunteer staff are responsible for delivering the range of core services CISC offers its community.

Key funding sources

CISC's major source of funding is provided by the City of Casey, which proudly supports the work undertaken by CISC for the Cranbourne and Casey South communities.

The CISC Emergency Relief program is primarily funded by the Australian Government's department of Department of Social Services (DSS).

For more information about individuals and groups that have donated to CISC programs during the past financial year, please visit our Acknowledgements page.