In 1990 John Fitzgerald enlisted the assistance of clinical psychologists Dr Ron and Su Farmer to establish a registered charity, Toogoolawa Children's Home Ltd, providing residential care to young teenagers 'at risk' before they slipped further into a 'street kids' living mode.

Recognising the need for specialised schooling for such children the first Toogoolawa school was established in February 1998 in Ormeau, QLD. By June 2000 it was clear that the Education in Human Values program in the school was producing outstanding results, and John Fitzgerald shared his vision with Su and Ron Farmer for Toogoolawa schools to be established firstly in New South Wales and Victoria, and later in South Australia and other states.

In January 2001 the Toogoolawa Children's Home in Queensland was closed so that increased effort could be focussed on developing the Toogoolawa Schools Project.

John and Debbie Fitzgerald will continue to fund the Ormeau, Wickham and Hastings schools indefinitely, as well as covering all of the administrative costs for what is now Toogoolawa Schools Limited. Other donors are now coming forth and we are hopeful that the fourth and fifth schools will be established during 2007 in Adelaide and Brisbane.

For some further insights into Toogoolawa view this ABC story.
        Australian Story