In 1948 the Australian Board of Missions reported to the government that the Home usually provided care for an average of 27 children. At that time a further dormitory was being built so that the Home could accommodate up to 50 children at one time.

In 1948, after lengthy negotiations, the Commonwealth government agreed to provide financial assistance to the Home. As part of these negotiations, the government outlined some of its wishes for the 'objects of the Institution'. These, listed in a 1948 report, included the following

1. To provide a home for the care and upbringing of all half-caste children committed to the institution. These will be for the most part unsupported half-castes from aboriginal camps.
2. To provide accommodation for half-caste children from rural areas, whose parents are in a position to send them to school in Alice Springs.
3. To accommodate girls and boys after school leaving age during training or apprenticeship, and whilst in employment in Alice Springs.

The report also specified that the staff for the Home should include a Superintendent, a nurse trained in child welfare, a married couple, a cook and a farm supervisor. The government also 'considered that the institution should be controlled on the dormitory system' with 4 dormitories - nursery, infant, primary and senior.

Events

1946

St Mary's Home for Children situated at Alice Springs. Location: Alice Springs