1981
October 17, Bernie Leeman and Effie Meehan meet at the International Year of Disabled People event. ADEC project becomes an independent organisation. They and others of the Committee of Ethnicity and Disability undertake a research project through the Ethnic Communities Council to determine the needs of communities.
1982
Funds are received from the Commonwealth Schools Commission Severely Handicapped Children’s Program to commence an ADEC project.
1983
October 17, ADEC project becomes an independent organisation.
1984
November, first AGM held at Carringbush Library.
1984-85
ADEC survives on seed funding from the Commonwealth Schools Commission, grants from trusts and Commonwealth Employment Program funding.
1986
ADEC in financial crisis. Director Silvana Scibilia secures emergency funding from Federal Government for nine months.
1987
ADEC secures funding from Commonwealth and State Governments for a four-year demonstration project.
ADEC relocates with ten staff to 123-125 Sydney Road, Brunswick.
1988
Director Liz Papanicolaou commences to implement restructure and three-year plan.
1989
First computer purchased.
First ADEC newsletter produced.
First Home and Community Care (HACC) project commences.
ADEC’s mental health program begins as the ethnic access psychiatric project.
1991
Gabriel Maligeorges promoted to Director with Maria Cesarello as chairperson.
1992
ADEC restructures and adopts generalist advocacy model.
1993
10th anniversary celebration.
ADEC hosts the first national conference of its kind in Melbourne, 'The Impact of Disability in Ethnic Communities; Meeting the Challenge'.
Education and Training Unit is formed.
1994
First HACC Social Support group for carers commences.
1995
Constitution reviewed. ADEC memberships doubles.
1994-96
ADEC facilitates the establishment of the National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA).
1996
ADEC relocates from Brunswick to 13 Munro Street, Coburg.
1997
A Statewide and a Northern region HACC Equity and Access Projects are now operating.
1999
ADEC has completed over fifty research and service development projects since 1989.
Maria Cesarello, Effie Meehan and Bernie Leeman awarded life memberships.
2000
Licia Kokocinski commences as Director with Patrick Testa as Chairperson.
2002
HACC Social Support Program increases to 11 carers groups across three regions.
Multicultural Family Respite service commences.
Community Reference Group established.
2004
ADEC relocates to Preston after Coburg building is damaged in storm.
2005
ADEC launches five-year strategic plan 2005-2010.
First annual ArtAbility Exhibition held at Gasworks Park.
2006
ADEC receives funding for Northern Region Network Coordinator.
Education and Training Unit program expands in partnership with Mediquest.
Mental Health program expands with new community development program.
ADEC now delivers four mental health support groups.
2007
Statewide conference on ethnicity, ageing and mental health is held.
Individual Advocacy program expands to Western suburbs.
Carer and Mental Health self-help groups expand to sixteen.
2008
ADEC receives federal funding for respite services.
25th anniversary celebration at Coburg Town Hall.
North West Partnership launched. "Fighting for equality: The story of ADEC" written by Meyer Eidelson is published.
2009
Effie Meehan receives an award for her long term contribution to ADEC.
2010
ADEC's legal name remains as Action on Disability within Ethnic Communities but our trading name becomes: ADEC - Advocacy, Disability, Ethnicity, and Community.
ADEC becomes a Registered Training Organisation.
2011
ADEC create a partnership with the Immigrating Museum and presents the "Fighting for Equity" Exhibition.
2012
ADEC opens the first Digital Respite Program for 6 to 17 years old.
Keith Hitchen appointed as the new Executive Director with Sophie Holmes as Chairperson.
2013
Access and Support Unit commences.
ADEC opens a Dandenong and Werribee Offices.
2015
ADEC reaches 1200 clients and launches the ADEC Newsletter.
2016
ADEC becomes a registered NDIS provider.
2017
Melissa Elston appointed as the new Executive Director with Sophie Holmes as Chairperson.
2018
ADEC support a record 2,363 clients from 45 nationalities.
2019
ADEC purchases its first property at Dandenong.
2020
ADEC reaches 100 clients in our Aged Care Program.