History of UFS Dispensaries

UFS is an abbreviation for United Friendly Societies.  The UFS Dispensaries is a not-for-profit organisation, which exists for the members and functions for their benefit by supplying subsidised prescriptions and other pharmacy requirements.

A Board of Directors [elected by members at the Annual General Meeting] governs the organisation.  Historically, Directors were delegates representing various Friendly Societies.  Now Directors are elected from our membership base and are representative of the broader community.  

On 5th of December 1880, the Ballarat United Friendly Societies Dispensary was registered after various Friendly Societies united to provide the funds for the original Dispensary in Armstrong Street (the premises now occupied by Doepel Lilley and Taylor ).The Dispensary opened in 1881 and was relocated to Dana Street in 1901, remaining there until 1952.  The next move was to the present site at 717 Sturt Street.

In 1959, a branch Dispensary opened in Geelong Road (Ballarat East) and relocated to Bridge Street in 1976.  The Dispensary in Howitt Street, Wendouree was opened in 1973 and a fourth Dispensary opened in Sebastopol in 1980.  Almost eight years later, in 1987, the Buninyong Dispensary was opened.  This was followed by the Victoria Street Dispensary, in 1991.

Today, the organisation operates fourteen pharmacies, with pharmacies located at Bacchus Marsh (1999), Mt Clear (2004), Beaufort including pharmacy depots in Skipton and Willaura (2004), Ballan ( 2004), Melton Central (2005), Melton South (2007) and Delacombe (2008) and Golden Point (2009).   UFS Dispensaries also owns and operates a gift shop, Cherub Cards & Gifts and our well-being centre, Peace & Quiet (2004) which are both located in Sturt St, Ballarat, and 3 Medical Centres.