Our Story

In April 1998 our Board, after much deliberation, resolved to change the Society's name to Community Care Chemist Friendly Society Ltd. For the 100 years prior to this, the Society was called the Geelong U.F.S. Dispensary.

The term U.F.S. Dispensary is an abbreviation for United Friendly Societies Dispensary. During the last century Friendly Societies provided their members with welfare benefits of various kinds. The Geelong United Friendly Societies Dispensary came into being in December 1898 after the various Friendly Societies decided to provide subsidised medicines for their members. They united to provide the funds for the original dispensary in this district. The Geelong U.F.S. Dispensary, as a friendly society in its own right, has continued to supply members with medicines at a saving since its inception.

The organisation is controlled by a Board of Directors. Directors are elected by members at the annual meeting. In recent times membership has become available to members of the public who are not members of the traditional friendly societies.

In reality, the owners of the Community Care Chemist are our members. Community Care Chemist Friendly Society Ltd primarily exists to provide benefits to its members.