About the Foundation

Social justice is in the DNA of Peter’s Eastern Hill. The parish has served the needs of Melbourne’s most vulnerable communities for over 150 years.

Originally known as St Peter’s in the bush, as Melbourne expanded dramatically during the Gold Rush years, St Peter’s soon became located on the fringe of the central business district, next to some of Melbourne’s most disadvantaged areas.

Outreach to vulnerable communities

The Mission to the Streets and Lanes, initiated by Mother Esther, started from the St Peter’s site in the 1880s, as did the Brotherhood of St Laurence in the 1930s by Father Tucker at Keble House.

In the 1990s, the parish established a breakfast programme for people experiencing homelessness, and the Lazarus Centre has since grown to the only programme of its kind in Melbourne to provide food to Melbourne’s most vulnerable communities every day of the year.

Most recently, in 2019, St Peter’s has supported the establishment of the social enterprise coffee caravan “Heaven at the Hill” to provide employment pathways for people experiencing barriers to entering the employment market.

Establishing the charitable foundation

After the Lazarus Centre was established, it soon became apparent the parish needed a vehicle to accept and disperse tax-deductible gifts to support vulnerable communities and parish inclusion initiatives.

On 15th January 1999, the Foundation Trust Deed was put in place. The inaugural Trustees were: Primrose Lady Potter AC, the Hon. Mr Justice Alex Chernov, Robin Briggs, Stuart Winston Hall, Willoughby Bailey AO, and the Fr John Davis (Vicar).

Since then, the scope of the foundation’s work has grown, although the focus on supporting and empowering Melbourne’s most vulnerable communities remains central.

How the Foundation makes an impact

The Foundation disperses funds for specific projects, but it makes an impact by supporting the Lazarus Centre and the St Peter’s social enterprise, Heaven at the Hill.

The Lazarus Centre provides food, fellowship and pastoral support to people experiencing homelessness in Melbourne.

The St Peter’s Social Enterprise runs a coffee cart and catering company, and aims to provide employment pathways for people who experience particular barriers to employment, in particular people who have been previously incarcerated or people who have experienced homelessness.