Happy 21st Birthday! On the 1st of July 1996 the Moonee Ponds MindBody Health Centre opened its doors for the grand opening – here’s a timeline of our evolution …

The original practice was located at 50 Maribyrnong Road and our first patients were the lovely Mrs Kathleen Hill and Ms Carol Innes. Soon afterwards we were joined by Ms Jen Keilor Reid, energy healer, Ms Mary Murphy, massage therapist and Mrs Sylvia Gleeson, our yoga teacher.

In 1998, the second Health Centre was opened across the road at 256 Ascot Vale Road. Sylvia Gleeson and Gail Adams shared the receptionist position until Mrs Pauline Vella started in May 1999.

We had to acquire the second premises to accommodate the increasing numbers of practitioners and patients. We were only the second Integrative Health Centre in Moonee Ponds at the time and the only one with an Integrative doctor. At its peak, there were 15 practitioners with our Centres.

On the 9th of September 2009 (9/9/2009) we moved into our new premises at 23 Gladstone Street. The practitioners had their own opening ceremony which was presided over by Ms Ariel Spilsbury, who was one of the 3 original designers.

There was a grand opening on the night of 9th of the 9th 2009 – Indigenous dancers led the ceremonies by clearing the energies and blessing the space. This was followed by some short speeches.

The other speakers were Ms Ariel Spilsbury and the magnificent builder, Mr Michael Paino.  The party and celebration continued into the wee hours.

And now, we’re 21 years old! As all parents say – ‘where did the time go?’

Our Centre at Gladstone Street is a beautiful place to work, and one practitioner from another centre recently said it’s the most beautiful he has seen in the world. The staff are lovely, caring and supportive as are all the practitioners.

So to all, we say a very big Happy 21st Birthday!