History of scosa
- scosa has had an influential role in
the evolution of disability services
and support in SA since 1946
From the beginning in 1946
The proud history of scosa began in 1946 when the parents of children living with cerebral palsy came together to share knowledge and offer each other support through the creation of the Spastic Children's Parents' Group of the Crippled Children's Association. At the time, the only support that existed for kids living with disability was through the hospital system.
Also in 1946, teacher and former sheep station governess Daphne Gum OBE OAM (who would later become the fabled, long-term Headmistress of Adelaide's Methodist Ladies College/Annesley College), supported by a social worker, established the first school for children living with cerebral palsy in a single room at the Adelaide Children's Hospital.
In 1948 the Spastic Children's Parents' Group formed the SA Spastic Paralysis Welfare League, which held its inaugural Annual General Meeting in April 1950. Funds raised by this volunteer group, backed by community support, purchased a house on Woodville Road (for 7,500-pounds) to serve as a 'custodial care unit' for 10 children living with disability in Adelaide's western suburbs, supported by an old military bus for transport.
Woodville Spastic Children's Home officially opened in 1952
For the next three decades the Woodville property grew rapidly and became the centre of scosa's activities. New 'wings' were constructed (generally paid for and named after generous benefactors) to cater for increasing numbers of children in 'residential care'. Schooling, training, physiotherapy, respite accommodation, and sporting and recreational activities were among the disability services offered at the Woodville site.
Miss South Australia Quest
Woodville was also the base for scosa's high-profile fundraising activities including the Miss South Australia Quest. The success of scosa's fundraising generated millions of dollars for major building projects and equipment. The final Quest was held in 2000.
From 1980
For the next three decades the Woodville property grew rapidly and became the centre of scosa's activities. New 'wings' were constructed (generally paid for and named after generous benefactors) to cater for increasing numbers of children in 'residential care'. Schooling, training, physiotherapy, respite accommodation, and sporting and recreational activities were among the disability services offered at the Woodville site.
scosa merges with Novita in 2019
In October 2019, scosa formally merged with Novita following the approval of the members and Boards of both organisations. The merger created one of South Australia's largest disability service providers (in the new era of the National Disability Insurance Scheme) providing services and supports for people living with disability at all stages of their life. The merged organisation now supports more than 5,000 clients through an expanding network of therapy and day options hubs across metropolitan Adelaide, regional South Australia, and in Broken Hill