1954

Our story began in 1954 when a group of parents formed a Cooma branch of the Subnormal Children’s Welfare Association (SCWA). Schooling for children with an intellectual disability was carried out in the church hall of St Paul’s Anglican Church. The teaching was provided by volunteers until a teacher was appointed.

1959

In its tenth year of operation, the Snowy Mountains Authority (now Snowy Hydro), donated a building to the SCWA and moved it onto a block of land on Soho Street next to St Andrew’s Uniting Church.

1974

The Federal Government began providing accommodation for children and adults with a disability and training programs for adults with a disability.

Around this time, parents and the local branch of Soroptimists started a sheltered workshop in Cooma East, where workshop items were weighed and packaged for local businesses including the hospital.

Courses in cooking and woodwork were offered at the local TAFE.

1978

Beside St Andrew’s Uniting Church, Charmain Litchfield House (commonly known as Pine Lodge Hostel), opened in recognition of the need for five-days-a-week accommodation for children with disability from isolated areas.

1981

Pine Lodge Hostel became redundant when the Department of Education took on the responsibility for educating children with disability. The children began attending a special unit across the road at Cooma Public School.

1983

The Federal Government offered a substantial grant toward building a new centre to house the sheltered workshop, an activity-training centre and offices. The centre was opened in 1983 on land that had formerly been Cooma East School.

1985

The SCWA changed its name to Challenge Foundation of NSW, and Cooma became a branch of this larger organisation.

1993

Due to a change in circumstances, the Foundation broke up and became a chartered company, operating under the name of Cooma Challenge Limited, with Caroline Peschek as Chief Executive Officer. It remains a registered charity.

2002

Cooma Challenge Limited auspiced Monaro Interchange Respite Care, now known as Monaro Respite Care.

Cooma Challenge Limited was also successfully funded to offer the Children and Young Adults Disability Support Service.

2003

Cooma Challenge Limited’s administration and service coordinators moved into a cottage at 4 Vagg Street in the central business district following a successful submission to the NSW Department of Corrective Services.

Cooma Challenge Limited’s main office is still located at this site.

2005

The organisation was again successful in gaining funding, this time through the Federal Department of Health and Ageing’s National Respite for Carers Program. After gaining a second NSW Department of Corrective Services cottage, next door at 3 Vagg Street, Cooma Challenge Limited began to offer respite both at that cottage (Snowy Monaro Respite Cottage) and at the Cooma East site (Monaro Community Access / Day Program).

2012

Monaro Family Day Care became the 19th service operating under Cooma Challenge Limited, and continued operation until May 2019.

2013

Cooma Challenge Limited became certified against ISO 9001:2008 International Quality Standards.
Having held the position of CEO for exactly 30 years in September, Caroline Peschek resigned from the role due to illness. Caroline passed away on 12 October.

2014

Cooma Challenge Limited celebrated 60 years of service with a birthday party held on Tuesday 26 August 2014.

2016

The National Disability Insurance Scheme began to roll out in our area, and Cooma Challenge Limited became a registered provider under the scheme.

2017

Cooma Challenge Limited established an office in Bombala for our Bombala based Coordinator.

The Snowy Monaro Respite Cottage relocated from Vagg Street to the Walgarra Street site, under the same roof as the Day Program.

The Australian Disability Enterprise which had been operating from two different sites, came back together under one roof at Soho Street. This brought a Cooma Challenge Limited presence back to the original site next door to St Andrew’s Uniting Church.

2018

The Corporate Structure for Cooma Challenge Limited changed, with executive positions put into place and the offices now spanning both Vagg Street cottages.

2025

To ensure the organisation reflects the modern supports, services and programs we deliver to our region, Cooma Challenge Limited rebranded to Monaro Community First. This change ensures that the brand represents the respectful, inclusive and compassionate experience our team, stakeholders, clients, and community have when they interact with our organisation.