General News
14 September, 2026
Volunteer to now lead Francis Foundation
AFTER two years as a volunteer, Warrnambool’s Mike Weise has come out of retirement to become the Francis Foundation’s new coordinator.
Francis Foundation is a rooming house at the top of Banyan Street in Warrnambool and is one of only a handful of similar facilities outside of Melbourne.
It has been in operation for 44 years and over that time has supported more 400 residents with a mental illness who are at risk of homelessness.
It is currently home to 10 residents and Mr Weise believes it fulfils a vital role in the community.
A former dairy industry leader, 69 year-old Mr Weise had been retired for four years but started volunteering as a minute taker at Francis Foundation two years ago.
“I’ve really enjoyed helping the foundation and the amazing work it does supporting its 10 residents; I couldn’t resist the opportunity to apply to help the Board (all volunteers) and to become coordinator,” he said.
The Francis Foundation is based at Alveston House, a property owned by Warrnambool City Council.
Before it became home to up to 11 residents, it was part of the Warrnambool Base Hospital and early last century was a maternity unit.
The foundation was set up by Joan and John Grace to provide safe housing for people who were originally in Brierly, a former psychiatric hospital in Warrnambool which closed following a change in policy aimed at improving the outcomes for patients with mental illness.
The Francis Foundation is a charity run almost exclusively by volunteers and its only sources of income are funds from its Op Shop in Port Fairy, charitable donations and residents’ rental.
Mr Weise said about 50 volunteers support the foundation and its Op Shop but more were needed.
“The Board is keen to recruit more volunteers to support the residents,” he said.
“In this difficult economic time, it’s more important than ever to have an organisation like Francis Foundation to help people at risk of homelessness.”
Anyone interested in helping the Alveston House residents, volunteering or donating can contact the Francis Foundation on 5562 5198.
