Celebrating 120 Years of HOPE

Five people walking along a gravel track, facing away from the camera.

For more than 120 years, Hope Community Services has supported WA individuals, families and communities through some of life’s toughest challenges.

We began as the City Band of Hope & Temperance League, which promoted abstinence as a solution to the harms of alcohol use in the community. We have, of course, changed with the times.

Today we are a  not-for-profit organisation, delivering evidence-based programs and services across the State; from Kununurra down to Esperance, from Perth across to Kalgoorlie.

Working across the intrinsically linked fields of alcohol and other drugs, family and domestic violence, mental health and youth justice, our focus is squarely on our clients and building their capacity to make changes.

As we mark this milestone, we invite you to learn more about our 120 year journey.

1800s

The City Band of Hope & Temperance League was established in Perth before the turn of the century. Associated with the International Organisation of Good Templars, this group encouraged young children to take a pledge of total abstinence from alcohol and to learn about “the evils of drink”.

1900s

Band of Hope logo from 120 years agoIn 1903 the Direct Veto Alliance was established. This organisation advocated for residents to have a Right of Veto over who was granted a Liquor License within a 3 mile radius of their home.

19 October 1904: Official Incorporation of the City Band of Hope & Temperance League

In 1906 the City Band of Hope & Temperance League united with the Direct Veto Alliance over the WA Liquor Law Reform Bill. On 30 November 1906 the two formerly amalgamated to become the WA Alliance.

1910s

Photograph of prominent Western Australian Edith Cowan in her later years. She is looking straight at the camera, and has a serious expression on her face. The photograph was taken almost 120 years ago.

The WA Alliance opposed the State Hotel Bill in 1912 (which led to the establishment of the Rottnest Island Hotel) and argued for the removal of alcohol advertising at railway stations, where they could be seen by children.

In 1914, Edith Cowan was elected as the Vice-President and spent a year in the role.

In 1918 when ships carrying returning soldiers arrived home, the WA Alliance pushed for pubs and hotels to close.

1920s

The WA Alliance continued its work and provided evidence around the harms of alcohol at a Royal Commission into Liquor Licensing. The Alliance was also a vocal critic of policies that allowed brewers to purchase sugar at far lower prices than ordinary consumers.

1930s

The WA Alliance broadened its policy scope and began advocating for free and compulsory primary school education for all children. It also advocated that secondary education and training should be encouraged.

1940s

During World War II, the WA Alliance campaigned for dry military camps and raised funds to install machines that delivered cold water, juice and milk to troops.

The organisation also launched major public education campaigns on alcohol awareness during this decade.

Importantly, the WA Alliance was behind the establishment of Alcoholics Anonymous in WA, organising the very first meeting in April 1947.

In July 1948, the WA Alliance proposed that drink-driving be made an offence.

1950s

13 February 1953: WA Alliance becomes West Australian Temperance Alliance (WATA)

WATA was among the first to push for random breath tests (RBTs).

In 1957, WATA purchased a property on Kings Park Road. With support from the State Government this property was converted into the WATA Hostel and opened in 1959, providing accommodation for up to 300 young women.

WATA started discussing the issue of alcohol use among First Nations people and began distributing educational material to these communities.

A small flyer promoting the work of the WA Temperance Alliance. A cartoon of a smiling family is at the top, underneath is the heading: "Concerned people promoting a way of life free from drug misuse and alcohol". The flyer is an example of how HOPE's approach has changed over 120 years.1960s

In the debate on the drinking age, WATA was vocal in its campaign to maintain 21 as the legal drinking age.

WATA also pushed the State Government to act on drink-driving, recommending that it should be made an offence to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of more than 0.08%.

1970s

WATA began developing evidence-based education strategies to reduce alcohol and other drug (AOD) use within the community, especially young people. Educational films on the effects of alcohol were screened in schools, community halls and churches.

WATA also began advocating for low-alcohol drink options to become more available, and in 1972 recommended that the local Swan Brewery should brew low-alcohol beer.

Alcohol Awareness poster reading: "Think before you drink".1980s

Against a backdrop of growing public awareness, WATA launched the annual Alcohol Awareness Week to highlight the issue of drink-driving. It stepped up its lobbying activities on lowering the BAC limit to 0.05% and to increase driver RBTs.

1990s

1993: WATA becomes Drug Awareness, Rehabilitation and Management (Drug ARM) WA.

Drug ARM WA purchased a new building and moved to Kelmscott. A ‘Street Van’ was purchased and volunteers began a street outreach program, where they connected with at-risk young people.

In 1993, Drug ARM made its first foray into youth justice, working with the Juvenile Justice Department to provide overnight care to young offenders at its premises.

2000s

While maintaining a commitment to community education, Drug ARM shifted its focus to providing services for at-risk young people.

Street Vans, mentoring programs and the Youth Options Program all supported young people to change their behaviour.

Drug ARM WA established Moorditj House – a supervised bail accommodation facility – for young people between 12 and 18. Similar facilities were later established in the Goldfields and Geraldton.

Meanwhile in Geraldton, Drug ARM opened Rosella House, a residential hostel that provided a 13-week rehabilitation program.

2010s

Drug ARM WA expanded into the regions, winning the contract to deliver the Goldfields Community Alcohol and Drug Service (GCADS) in 2011.

9 July 2013: Drug ARM WA becomes Hope Community Services (HOPE).

Mental health became a priority for HOPE, with the newly named organization taking on and opening headspace Kalgoorlie in 2014.

In 2016, the Hope Springs Community Farm opened, providing a long-term residential rehabilitation facility for those committed to AOD recovery.

2020s

Drawing on its AOD experience and existing partnerships, HOPE opened the first regional family and domestic violence hub in WA, the Mara Pirni Healing Place in Kalgoorlie.

A second FDV hub was opened in Armadale in 2024.

HOPE has also expanded its operations, offering new supervised bail accommodation and community mentoring around the State and launching the new headspace Esperance.