Our History

In 1982, Bayswater residents realised that many of the local seniors were, for various reasons, becoming house bound and, in many cases, finding it difficult to maintain their homes. In 1983, the Shire of Bayswater arranged a public meeting to try and find a solution to this growing community concern. A working committee was established and, with the ongoing support of the Shire, they undertook the necessary planning and ground work to establish Bayswater ECHO.

Between October 1982 and September 1983 Bayswater ECHO was able to assist local seniors with 61 handyman assistance, 32 home visits, 15 transport assistance services and 51 referrals to other organisations or persons who could provide assistance..  These services were performed by a handful of volunteers with no funding but considerable assistance from the Shire of Bayswater.

Bayswater ECHO’s original office was located in Mertome Village. After this time, the office relocated to the Morley Community Centre (fondly known as the broom cupboard) and then to a small house in Guildford Road, Bayswater, which consisted of basically 3 rooms, no real outdoor open space and only 2 parking bays.

Bayswater ECHO moved to its current location in October 1996.  Extensions to the existing building were completed in May 2002 in time for Bayswater ECHO’s 20th Anniversary celebrations. Bayswater ECHO changed its name in September 2002 from Bayswater Elderly Citizens Help Organization to Bayswater Extended Community Help Organisation to better reflect the client base we now service. The organisation also registered the business name of Bayswater ECHO.

Since receiving State Government Department of Health HACC funding, Bayswater ECHO’s services has grown from the original handful of volunteers and one Coordinator, to approximately 70 volunteers, 13 full time administration staff, 5 Gardener/Handypersons and 25 casual Care Assistants, providing services to approximately 1000 clients.

In 1996 ECHO attracted Commonwealth funding through the Department of Health and Aged Care to initially provide 15 Community Care Packages (CCP) to eligible persons. Currently we receive funding for 30 packages.

In 2008 Bayswater ECHO was successful in obtaining funding from the Government of Western Australia Department of Health to provide services within the City of Stirling. In recognition of this additional service location Bayswater ECHO began trading as ECHO Community Services in 2009. ECHO Community Services provides services to help our clients enjoy living independently in the community.