History and Development


Oakdale Services Tasmania has its roots in an organisation formed in 1952, the Retarded Children's Welfare Association (RCWA).This name was later changed to the Retarded Citizen’s Welfare Association. As part of the commitment to helping young people attending special education services in Hobart, the Yalambee Hostel was established in 1956 to provide accommodation for out of town children.

In Hobart during the 1950's, young people with an intellectual disability, on reaching the school leaving age of 16 years remained at home or in state care due to the lack of opportunity for employment. This situation led to concerned parents of the Hobart Branch of the RCWA visiting other states in 1959 to inspect and report back on the Sheltered Workshop idea which was in its infancy at that time.

RCWA Board inspects site and
plans for the proposed building development
In 1961 the branch purchased 267 acres of land at Warrane, with the intention of sub-dividing to provide means for the construction of a Sheltered Workshop and later a residential section. The Oakdale workshop opened in 1964 with an initial intake of 14 young people.

The residential facility, Oakdale Lodge, opened in 1970 enabling those employed at the workshop to live nearby.

Over the years the RCWA had developed a structure of State, Regional and Branch Committees and controlled a number of boards of Management. In the south of the State these Boards of Management were responsible for: Oakdale Lodge; Yalambee; Oakdale Industries; Walkabout; and Tahune Fields. Yalambee Hostel did not prove viable in the long term, and management was transferred to the Oakdale Lodge Board.

In 1992 the RCWA was wound up, and in its place there were established five not-for-profit companies, each limited by guarantee. These were:
  • Oakdale Lodge Yalambee which assumed responsibility for the two major residential facilities, Oakdale Lodge and Yalambee Hostel. The Eastern Shore and Clarence Branches of the RCWA were amalgamated to become the Southern Branch of that Company.
  • Oak Enterprises (now Oak Tasmania) responsible for Oakdale Industries, Tahune Fields, Walkabout Workshop, the Sewing Centre, The Mail House and various day and small residential services. The Glenorchy Branch of the RCWA became a branch of Oak Enterprises.
  • Devonfield in the North-west.
  • RSID in the North of the State. This has since merged with Devonfield.
  • Tasmanian Council for the Intellectually Disabled (TCID) which was wholly owned by the other 4 companies and, at least initially, provided some administrative functions for the owner companies.

    • Yalambee Hostel closed in 1994 and in 1998 Oakdale Lodge Yalambee became Oakdale Services Tasmania.

    Oakdale Lodge 1997

    At Oakdale Lodge, building extensions occurred in 1978 and 1980 to provide further accommodation.

    In 1994 leisure facilities were provided in the Gigney Room addition.

    In 1997 the Geeves wing was added to the Lodge and the first of three Independent Living Units was built under this wing in 1999. A further two ILU’s were constructed in 2002.

    In 1998 the Men’s wing was refurbished and renamed the Dunkley Wing.

    Redevelopment of the old 'Ladies wing' in 2005 provided updated resident bedrooms. This was renamed to the Pecats wing; the Acorn High Care Unit was added and this redevelopment incorporated the Ruth Barnard Memorial Garden.

    The separate upper 'Men’s wing' was also redeveloped in 2006 and opened as Southern Branch House, our administrative offices.

    Extensions, redevelopment and upgrading of facilities over the years now provide high quality accommodation and personal space for thirty eight residents.

    Barnard family representatives with the Premier of Tasmania, The Hon. Paul Lennon, at the official opening
    of the new Lodge facilities in 2005

    Today the residents are supported by a variety of programs including the 'Ageing in Place' and 'Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) programs. They are involved in a range of occupational and community access services throughout the Hobart area.

    The Company has long been committed to expanding the range of services offered and properties owned or managed. Services offered to people with disabilities now include Acquired Brain Injury, Ageing in Place, Community Access Services, Community Living Program, Youth Services and Transition Services.

    Outside of the Lodge, the Community Living Program commenced in 1994 when the eleven people who were living together at Yalambee Hostel were given the opportunity to move into smaller homes in the community.

    Oakdale's Youth Services started operating in 1997 after a successful tender with Disability Services.

    Our Acquired Brain Injury service started with the establishment of an ABI unit at the Lodge in 2005.

    Back to About Us