A heritage of helping
State Trustees has been helping protect Victorians, especially those with a disability, since 1939.
Back then, State Trustees operated as The Public Trust Office of Victoria which was established when the offices of The Curator of Estates of Deceased Persons and The Master in Equity were amalgamated. Nearly 50 years later, in 1987, State Trustees was created and managed under a board of directors.
In 1994, State Trustees became a State owned business, helping Victorians protect and manage their assets. We provide clients with financial and legal assistance for every stage of their life, offering products and services including Will writing and Executor Services, Attorney Services, Deceased Estate Administration, Trustee Services, Personal Financial Administration, Genealogical Services and Financial Planning. We also prepare more Wills than any other organisation in the State.
Timeline
- 1915 – Victorian Government first appointed a Curator of Estates of Deceased Persons and a Master in Equity (previously known as the Master in Equity and Lunacy) to act for Victorians without mental capacity
- 1939 – The offices of The Curator of Estates of Deceased Persons and The Master in Equity are amalgamated resulting in the establishment of the Public Trust Office of Victoria
- 1987 – State Trustees was created and managed under a board of directors for the first time, having gained financial and administrative independence from Government
- 1987 – State Trustees was appointed Trustee of the Victorian Equity Trust (VET), its first publicly listed unit trust, with assets in excess of $500 million
- 1994 – On 1 July, State Trustees became the first State Government owned business in Victoria to gain full company status after it became a State Owned Company. This was part of the Government’s objective to make State owned enterprises more efficient by exposing them to competition from the private sector
- 1994 - A public charitable trust, the State Trustees Australia Foundation was established offering an easy and effective way to donate to charities. The trust currently holds more than $25 million
- 1995 – All workers compensation trusts held by WorkCover were transferred to State Trustees
- 2003 – The inaugural connected™ art exhibition is launched showcasing art works by Victorian artists living with a disability or an experience of mental illness
- 2008 – State Trustees appoints its first female chair – Julie Elliott
- 2009 – State Trustees announces that it will be moving closer to customers by opening service centres across suburban Melbourne and having an increased presence in regional Victoria
- 2009 – State Trustees’ Personal Financial Solutions - Intensive Needs Team, was recognised for their invaluable services to the community by winning the Melbourne Awards in the category of Contribution to the Community, Corporate Division. The Melbourne Awards honour significant contributions to Melbourne’s profile, community and environment
- 2010 - State Trustees announced head office will be relocating to Footscray (expected 2014)
- 2010 - State Trustees regional office in Bendigo opened
- 2011 - Over $87,000 raised for charity partner Alzheimers Australia VIC at the annual Charity Ball
State Trustees has evolved into a vital business here to give Victorians financial peace of mind, no matter what stage of life they are at. We also continue to protect the financial and legal interests of almost 9,000 people as administrator of their affairs, who due to mental illness, injury or disability are unable to fully manage their own legal and financial affairs.