Holyoake. Remembering John Keating 25 years on.

We pause today to remember and celebrate John Keating, inaugural Executive Director of Holyoake who died on 26 August 2000.

John retired in 1992, taking up the role of President and Chairman of the Board, until his untimely death.

John’s struggles with alcohol and the known effects on his family from personal experience led him to set up Holyoake, following a trip overseas to the Churchill Fellowship. Here, John discovered other ways of addressing the issue of problem drinking, returning with a vision of a place that would provide support, awareness and an alternative way to live – Holyoake. This vision, led by his characteristic tenacity brought together Anita Day and a small group of equally passionate and dedicated people who, like himself, were concerned about the desperate lack of help available to individuals and families with alcohol-related problems in Western Australia, with nothing available to spouses and partners.

John was a man who understood the nature of human frailty and the needs of ordinary families, becoming highly respected for the work recognising the children as ‘innocent victims’ within these troubled families, introducing an adolescent substance users’ and parents’ program.

A core value held by John, that continues today within Holyoake, is the unique focus in offering help to families, regardless of whether the person with the alcohol or other drug related problem seeks help.

From young children to adolescents, adults, and families, we continue to address the complex, overlapping challenges of alcohol, drug use, and mental ill health with compassion and care

Born the eldest of 5 brothers in 1931, John attended the Christian Brothers College in Perth and St Ildephonsus College, New Norcia, leaving the college to become a cadet surveyor with the Lands Department. Having completed his land survey license and 2nd in charge to John Morgan, Surveyor General of the Lands Department, for the major mapping expedition of the Kimberly region, John left to work in private practice as a licensed surveyor in the late 1950’s where is work carried him from the Kimberly to Esperance, with long periods of isolation and away from his family.

As with most things that John did during his lifeline, he died, with a minimum amount of fuss, marking the end of an extraordinary life of an extraordinary man, dedicated to helping others in their battle with substance use.

“Words at this time seem totally inadequate to portray the significance of the contribution John made, and the sense of loss felt by so many of us.

Many people have spoken of John with love and believe they would not be here today if it wasn’t for his acceptance, his assistance, or just for the fact that he made Holyoake possible.”

As we celebrate the life and achievements of this extraordinary man who dedicated his life to supporting others, we invite you to join us in reflecting on our shared history, our achievements, and the lives we’ve touched as we mark 50 years of Holyoake – walking alongside people impacted by alcohol, drugs, and mental ill health.

What began in 1975 in Perth as a deeply personal response to lived experience, we continue John’s vision, offering the support, hope, and confidence John and his fellow volunteers had needed, pioneering a holistic, family-systems approach to counselling and peer support from a vision grounded in compassion and innovation.

Holyoake’s team of professionals meet people wherever they are at, whenever they’re ready. The organisation has evolved and grown into a dynamic, evidence-based, trauma-informed organisation from its solid foundations. While our locations, capabilities, and services have expanded, our purpose remains unchanged:

To help people find the support, hope and confidence they need to live the life they choose.

We have walked with tens of thousands, unconditionally and without judgement. And we’ll continue walking, for as long as we’re needed. To everyone who has been part of the Holyoake journey – consumers, families, volunteers, staff, partners, funders, stakeholders, and communities – thank you.

You have shaped who we are today.

To explore our story and browse our historical archive, visit our website. Here’s to 50 years of hope, and the many years ahead.