More News

New Careline Media Partner - Christian Media Hub

The Christian Media Hub (CMH) and Careline Connections have reached an agreement to provide the CMH support radio stations in NSW with a Careline, telephone helpline. 

Media stations which are supported by CMH are:

  • 1035 FM Orange
  • Life FM Bathurst
  • Dubbo’s 94.3
  • Wagga’s Life FM and
  • Pulse 94.1 in Wollongong

The Careline for each of these stations will start in the second half of 2025 and will  provide a support and referral service, offering to Listen, Care, Refer and Pray for callers every day of the week between 9am-11pm, including Public Holidays.

 

Careline Statistics Jan - June 2025

So far in 2025 (Jan to Jun) Careline recieved 19,292 calls through its media partners. This was a 10 % increase in calls received in 2024.  There remains a need for support in the community.

In 2025 from Jan to Jun Careline volunteers had 4447 conversations with callers (greater than 2 minutes). This is about 1040 hours spent by volunteers helping people during the first 6 months of 2025. 

In 2025 we had an average of unique 314 callers per month. This is almost about  2% more than the same peiod in 2024.  

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Connections to Care Appeal

The Careline Connections annual mid-year appeal GROWING CONNECTIONS has raised $14,271 passing the target $9,000. This ensures Careline Connections will be able to provide the Careline to Christian media stations for the next year. It also allows the Careline to grow by:

 – helping us to provide new services, such as a text based message service,

–  helping us to take more calls by increasing the number of volunteers we have,

– helping us to reach young people at schools so we can  assist with improving the mental health of teenagers.  

25 years of Careline

Congratulations to Careline Connections ltd on reaching 25 years of operation during 2024!

Careline commenced through Bayside Church Cheltenham Victoria in 1999 as The Careline Team and major supporters included The Light 89.9FM and GOOD TV (formerly ACCTV).

In The Careline Teams 1st year 12,000 calls were taken. In 2023 we have now reached 40,000 calls.

During these 25 years, we estimate that across Australia over half a million have received a Bible passage and prayer as well as a listening ear.

Starting with a few volunteers at Bayside Church, Careline grew to include several Call centres at One Community Church and Manningham Christian centre. Now, 25 years on, Careline Connections Ltd has 70 volunteers based across all States in Australia. Careline has 22 active Media partners, broadcasting across Australia in their relevant areas and the message of Call Careline – ‘someone who cares is just a phone call away’ continues to resonate.

Many thanks to all the volunteers who served through the past 25 years and those who continue to serve today. 

Careline Statistics 2024

 In 2024 Careline recieved 35,660 calls through its media partners. This was a 1.7 % increase in calls received in 2023.  There remains a need for support in the community.

In 2024 Careline volunteers had 8911 conversations with callers (greater than 2 minutes). This is a 10% increase over 2023 and represents 183 more hours on the phone in 2024.

During 2024 we had an average of unique 314 callers per month. This is almost 20% more than 2023. In 2025 we will seek to grow to meet the demand for our service.   

The passing of Les Anderson

It is with great sadness that we report Careline volunteer Les Anderson has passed away recently.  Les was a Careline volunteer for over 10 years as well as a Team Leader at Careline.  Les had been unwell and was in Box Hill Hospital for the latter part of 2024. Our condolances go out to Les’s family he will be missed greatly.


bowls

Careline 2024 Christmas Party

Careline Connections had a great Christmas function at Boronia Bowling club.   Many of the team had a go at bowling, which got competative towards the end. Andrew showed his style in the photo opposite.  Thanks to the bowls club for providing food and providing the facilities.



   

New ways to support Careline Connections

Now there are new ways to support Careline financially. 

Use Steer Incorporated to manage your giving and distribute some of your gift to Careline Connections. 

Participate in the Container Deposite scheme (Victoria). Collect bottles and cans and donate your refund to Careline Connections.

Run a Facebook fundraiser and encourage your friends to give to Careline Connections.

For more details of these ways of giving please see our fundraising page.  

Ian Richardson leaving the Careline Board

At its annual meeting, the Board thanked and farewelled Dr Ian Richardson.  Ian was a foundational member of the Careline Board when Careline was taken on as a ministry of CCAA. He noted the enormous amount of work put in by John Andersen and Andrew Schram and have seen the connection grow to cover 2 million potential listeners across Australia.

The Board thanked Ian for his faithful, insightful and enthusiastic support of Careline. It was noted that Ian is a safe presence amongst us.

The Board is pursuing various possible new members for the Board.

New Careline Volunteers

This year Careline Connections has recruited nine new volunteers to assist with the helpline, in taking calls.  This will alloy us to take more calls and help more people.

Sadly, we have also said goodbye to five of our volunteers, some of who have been volunteering with Careline for a long time. 

Careline Connections also has some new volunteers who are helping out behind the scenes. These volunteers are also greatly appreciated.

New Careline Code of Conduct

Recently the Careline Connection Board approved the new Code of Conduct for all volunteers.  The code of conduct has been developed over the last 12 months and includes new standards of behaviour and expectations of volunteers.  The new Code of Conduct includes the values of Careline Integrity, Privacy, Professionalism, and Respect.

New Careline Media Partner -Rhema 99.9

Rhema 99.9 in Port Macquarie have signed an agreement with Careline Connections which will result in a Rhema 99.9 Careline early next year.  Rhema 99.9 broadcast in the area of Port Macquarie and the Mid North coast of NSW. The Rhema 99.9 Careline will provide a support and referral service, offering to Listen, Care, Refer and Pray for callers every day of the week between 9am-11pm, including Public Holidays.

The Rhema 99.9 Careline will operate on 02 65810814. 

Hope 103.2 Careline

Recently Hope Media formed an agreement with Careline Connections to start a Hope 103.2 Careline. The Hope 103.2 Careline will operate in addition to current support services, offering to Listen, Care, Refer and Pray for callers every day of the week between 9am-11pm, including Public Holidays.

The Hope 103.2 Careline operates on 02 7227 5533 and will be officially launched shortly.

Hope Media 103.2 operates in Sydney and is one of the largest Christian media stations in Australia. Careline Connections is proud to count Hope Media 103.2 as one of our valued partners.

Careline Connections 5 year plan

Careline Connections have examined where Careline would like to be in 5 years. This has resulted in a 5 year plan which has been approved by the board. Central to the plan is seeking new funding sources including grants and donations to allow Careline to grow into new areas.  Possibilities for growth include into the Asia/Pacific region beyond Australia and supporting young people within Christian schools. Careline will be seeking new volunteers to help us move towards this exiting future.