History Of OASA

1962 The Ostomy Association of SA (OASA) began as The Colostomy Association Of SA, (CASA) located at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Stomal Therapy Nurses did not exist at this time in Australia so new “ostomates” relied on surgeons and established ostomates to educate them on stoma care, how to access products and problem-solving skin issues following discharge from hospital.. They were open Tuesdays and Thursdays and staffed entirely by volunteers.

1998 As the numbers of products and members increased larger premises were needed. On the 1st July, 1998 CASA purchased 160 South Road, Torrensville for $228,500. Following renovations, The Honourable Dean Brown MP officially opened CASA’s new premises on Sunday 20th June, 1999. 
1999 CASA started its first Stomal Therapy Nursing (STN) clinic once a month. Since 2022 Amanda McGee set up her own business Stoma Care Services and began running clinics every Tuesday. 
2014 CASA moved to their current premises at 1 Keele Place Kidman Park, a larger building with a dedicated office area and warehouse, increased onsite car parking and a members lounge area including a library and ostomy product displays. 
2014 Name changed to reflect that the Association supports all stoma types becoming The Ostomy Association of South Australia Inc (OASA). Opening hours increased to 4 days a week and OASA employs 2 office staff and a warehouse manager. OASA is a registered charity.

2024, OASA has approximately 2,000 members and the current President is Heather Walsh.

Our People

Please be respectful of your dealings with the staff and volunteers whether it be on the phone or in person as we don’t work for you, we give our time for all ostomates for the betterment of all. Without the volunteers we wouldn’t have an association.
We need to look to the future of OASA by asking our members to nominate to join the Board of Directors to ensure we do have a future.

If you would like to have more of a say in your association, please consider joining our friendly Board of Directors. We need people with small business skills, accounting, secretary or human resource experience, IT or website development, grant applications or constitutional knowledge. 

Please call the office and talk to our staff if you would like to volunteer.

volunteering

Without the support of our wonderful volunteers, we could not provide a service to our members. We have volunteers who work in the warehouse packing postal orders, on the front counter on distribution days, in the office or on the phone welcoming new members. Theres also options for gardening, and behind the scenes restocking of shelves, sorting out stock etc. 
We are always happy to welcome new volunteers. You do not need to have experience. Training will occur on the job. However, if you have a particular skill that may be useful, please let us know. 

Volunteers usually work set days and times one, two or three days a week and receive a small honorary payment to cover travel costs. We have a small but friendly team of volunteers who have a fun time. It’s a great way to meet people also living with a stoma (or a family/friend of a member) and making new friends.

If you would like to have more of a say in your association, please consider joining our friendly Board of Directors. We need people with small business skills, accounting, secretary or human resource experience, IT or website development, grant applications or constitutional knowledge. 

Please call the office and talk to our staff if you would like to volunteer

Our Constitution

Please click the button below to download a copy of our constitution. 

Download Here