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1980s

The Early Days

  • 1982: A group of passionate families in the Murraylands kicked off the Murraylands Independent Living Project, the seed of what would become Community Lifestyles. Just four staff and a big mission: create more support options for adults with disability.
  • 1983: In Strathalbyn, four local families started the Specific Needs Group to provide after-school care for kids with disability. Soon renamed Community Skills Project, it laid the foundations for what became CLASS (Community Living and Support Services).
  • 1986: Community Lifestyles opens its second accommodation house, while CLASS secures its first site thanks to seed funding from Alexandrina Council.
  • 1989: Community Lifestyles Incorporated emerges, shifting focus from skills training to community-based lifestyle support. CLASS also grows, reflecting a bigger vision of helping people engage meaningfully in the community.

1990s

Growing Impact

  • Community Lifestyles expands day programs and opens its first supported accommodation in Murray Bridge.
  • 1994: Tri-State Games debut, and Community Lifestyles takes first place, putting the organisation on the map.
  • 1995: CLASS launches the Reach Recreation program, running skill-building camps that continued into the next decade with more than 150 camps.
  • Late 1990s, CLASS extends into Day Options in Victor Harbor and in-home support to meet growing demand.

2000s

Strengthening Services

  • 2000: CLASS merges with Town and Country Community Access, creating a stronger, united organisation while keeping the CLASS name.
  • Early 2000s: Community Lifestyles celebrates its 21st birthday with a memorable ball for clients, while also creating Nelson Court, a cluster of long-term accommodation units in Murray Bridge.
  • 2005–2006: CLASS hosts the Tri-State Games with more than 250 athletes from SA, NSW, and Victoria attending.
  • 2007–2012: CLASS expands across Southern Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, the Riverland, and Southeast regions with Day Options, accommodation, and in-home support services.

2010s

Joining Forces Community Lifestyles and CLASS Merger

  • 2015: Community Lifestyles and CLASS merge to form Community Living Australia, becoming one of South Australia’s largest regional not-for-profit providers of disability support. The merger positions the organisation strongly for the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and future growth.
  • 2017: Myriad Art Exhibition launches, giving artists living with disability a space to showcase their work and tell their stories.
  • 2022: All Abilities Festival is born, reconnecting people after pandemic isolation with inclusive fun, sports, and social activities

2025

Community Living Australia Becomes Livit Disability Support

  • 2023 Feedback from clients, families, and staff inspires a rebrand from Community Living Australia to Livit Disability Support. The new name reflects the organisations commitment to accessibility and focus on helping people live life their way. It also honours the organisation’s past and paves the way for thoughtful growth.
  • 2025 Livit Disability Support now employs 445 staff, working alongside 369 clients and their families across seven regions in South Australia, proudly continuing our founders’ legacy with the same care and dedication.

Interested in our new brand? Find out More

Our History Book

Want to dive deeper into our journey? Our History Book takes you from our beginnings in 1982 right through to today. It celebrates the vision of our founding families, the voices of our clients, and all the people who’ve shaped our organisation along the way.  It’s packed with stories, milestones, and memories and pays tribute to everyone who helped make us what we are today.