Our History
“The only way to achieve anything is to start” – Fr Joe Giacobbe
Doxa was established in 1972 by Father Joe Giacobbe, a young priest who worked with some of Melbourne’s most disadvantaged communities.
During this time he realised that many young people he worked with might never have a holiday or visit the country during their childhood. He decided to establish a camp at Malmsbury to give these young people a positive life experience possibly for the first time, and so Doxa Youth Foundation was born.
From its humble beginnings, hundreds of people have worked together to help make Father Joe’s dream a reality.
To all those who have been part of the story and to all who believe in making a difference, we are both grateful and indebted.
Support our Work
Support our work by helping us raise vital funds for the Doxa Youth Foundation Camp Program, giving more young people across Victoria the chance to experience a life-changing City Camp or our bushland camp in Malmsbury. Your donation also supports educational scholarships, ensuring talented and motivated young people are not held back from a career dream, due to financial circumstances.
Doxa Youth Foundation began with a simple idea, that every young person deserves the chance to experience more. In 1972, Father Joe Giacobbe set out to create opportunities for young people from Melbourne’s most disadvantaged communities, starting with a vision for a camp in the country.
From those early beginnings, Doxa has grown into a multi-program organisation supporting young people at different stages of their journey. What started with camps has expanded to include city-based experiences, cadetships that support pathways through university and into careers, and education initiatives for young people who need alternative support.
While much has evolved, our purpose remains the same, to open doors and create opportunities for young people who might otherwise miss out.