About Us
Our Story
We are Barkuma and this is our story...
1964
Barkuma commenced as a locally based community service in Elizabeth as part of the Mentally Retarded Children's Society (now Orana Inc).
1967
Barkuma was Incorporated (originally as Central Districts Mentally Handicapped Children's Association) initially operating as a Special School.
1970
Establishment of a Sheltered Workshop and Day Training Centre at Smithfield with 25 supported employees.
1980
The Association's name was changed to Barkuma (an Aboriginal word meaning 'to aid'). 110 people with an intellectual disability receive support.
1986
Establishment of Project Employment (changed to Personnel Employment in 1989 and then to Barkuma Employment in 2016). Project Employment was the first open employment service to be established in South Australia.
1998
Achieved ISO 9002 quality assurance certification of all Barkuma services - the first multi-service disability organisation in South Australia to do so.
1999
Barkuma obtained Registered Training Organisation (RTO) status and establishes Disability Training Australia (DTA).
2000
Barkuma purchases the Philip Highway premises.
2002
Barkuma launches a new corporate logo and branding of services.
2006
Barkuma and Disability SA jointly fund a new project to support parents with an intellectual disability, the first of its type in South Australia.
2008
The 'Reunification' service, which saw the reuniting of five children in state care with their mother is the first time Barkuma delivers services to children.
2015
Barkuma becomes a registered provider under the NDIS.
2016
Barkuma is announced as the inaugural Telstra Business Awards South Australian Charity division winner.
2017
Barkuma celebrates its 50th Anniversary with a special event with over 300 people at Carclew House.