Service Area

At 414,398 square kilometres, the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes is the largest in NSW. In fact, it is more than half of the state. The diocese is large and diverse with a relatively small population of 171,138 many of whom are isolated or remote. This brings unique challenges in bringing vital services to everyone in our community. Many of the communities in our diocese have negative population growth and this is expected to continue.

The people in these parishes face daily challenges. Issues related to employment, access to health services, environmental extremes and homelessness, often means living and thriving in rural and remote communities like ours can be difficult.

Understanding the overarching profile of the people who live in the parishes of Wilcannia–Forbes helps us provide targeted and relevant services to those who call this diocese their home.

Our diocese continues to rate highly on disadvantage scales, such as the Australian Early Development Index (AEDI), the Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage (IRSD), the Index of Relative Socio-Economic Advantage and Disadvantage (IRSAD) and the Index of Education and Occupation (IEO).

Locations

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes operates 14 offices in our diocese as well as several outreach programs and services to towns and communities in Western NSW.