13/08/2026
CHRISTIAN FRIENDSHIP CENTRE - VICTOR HARBOR
On July 2nd 2023, the Christian Friendship Centre at Victor Harbor celebrated fifty years of service to the community and beyond.
It began as a drop-in centre for young people who wandered the streets. The initiative came from the united churches of the Methodists and Congregationalists of the South Coast.
On the 24th May 1973 retired farmers, Jack and Dorothy Baker, bought the premises near the centre of Ocean Street in Victor Harbor which was financed from the sale of their farm.
After setting up the shop and installing the necessary equipment it was opened on July 1st 1973.
What a sight it was to see young people sitting around the walls on cushions, coffee and eats served by volunteers and students from the Bible College at Mount Breckan.
On July 17th, 1973, a management committee was formed comprising of high school principal Geoffrey Catford (chairman), Rex Elliot (secretary treasurer), Jack and Dorothy Baker (managers), Jan Catford, Rev Doug Mack, Rev Gordon Branson, John Laffin, Colin Camac and Max Gale.
The Committee later included representatives from other denominations.
During its time as a drop-in centre, lives were changed and young people were helped by Christian volunteers sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and his sacrificial love for the world.
When the age was lowered to 18 for drinking at hotels fewer young people came in for coffee at the Christian Friendship Centre.
But friendship continued. Gradually it developed into a catering service which provided snacks and refreshments and made available a large range of Bibles, Christian books, cards, CD’s, etc.
Jack and Dorothy Baker continued their work in the shop with Jack making lovely scones. A few years ago Dorothy, after her hundredth birthday, made a surprise visit.
Profits were distributed to a wide range of Christian ministries and charities.
In 1977, to ensure the ongoing ministry Jack and Dorothy offered to sell the premises to the management committee at the original cost and offered an interest free loan for the purchase. The Christian Friendship Centre then became an incorporated body, with a constitution and statement of faith.
In 1998 an adjoining shop was purchased with a frontage to Ocean Street at a cost of $80,000 dollars.
This was financed by gifts and low interest and interest free loans by friends and supporters.
The Centre acknowledges a huge debt to Rex Elliot who was the original secretary treasurer, after retiring in 2003 as proprietor of the Victor Harbor Pharmacy committed himself totally, as executive director until retiring in 2018 for medical reasons.
In that time Rex and wife, Yvonne, took just one holiday break to visit Yvonne’s father in England who was nearing his 100th birthday but died within weeks of it.
Not only was Rex committed to the CFC he was involved in the Adare church, leader of Sea Scouts, the Victor Harbor Rotary club and, for two years was state chairman of the High Schools council of SA.
Rex was shop manager, treasurer and CEO for about 30 years.
By 2015 the Christian Friendship Centre had distributed $1,000,000 to worthy missions and charities.
More recently Covid restrictions brought with it a steep decline in revenue.
However, the Centre contributes significantly towards financing the work of local school chaplains and continues to provide refreshments in an atmosphere of warm friendship - staffed entirely by volunteers from local churches.
The Friendship Centre acknowledges the goodness of God as it continues to serve our community in the context of friendship and warmly welcomes you to come in and enjoy our toasted ham sandwiches and scones and cream – and then browse our range of books, Bibles, cards and other items.
This history was first published for the 50th Anniversary of Christian Friendship Centre celebrated at Adare Uniting Church on July 2nd, 2023, at 2:00pm.
(Compiled by Ps N.Rosenzweig)
