In the 1860s orphaned and homeless children were living in the General Hospital in George Street, Brisbane. The Sisters of Mercy took on the care of the Catholics among these children, accommodating them in Cairncross House, a stone building situated at 135 James Street, New Farm. The institution was originally known as the 'Roman Catholic Orphan School'. The sisters also made use of other rented cottages in nearby Terrace Street.

The orphanage transferred from New Farm to Queens Road, "Nudgee by the Sea", on 11 November 1867. The first buildings were constructed of timber felled on the property. These were slab huts erected to house the men who were felling the timber on the property. The huts when vacated provided the first accommodation for the children and were the beginnings of what became commonly known as Nudgee Orphanage. Forty-seven children were admitted on the opening day, and during St Vincent's first century, 10,500 children found a home in the orphanage.

St Vincent's had its own herd of dairy cattle. In "The Dairy", butter for the children was made and the cream kept cool between meal times. All milk and cream consumed at the institution came from the St Vincent's herd. On 05 December 1905, a cyclone destroyed a number of St Vincent's buildings and unroofed others.

In 1938, children between the ages of nine months to two years were admitted to St Vincent's. Prior to that, children were admitted from two years and older. Today the site of the former St Vincent's Home is still owned by the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy and accommodates the head office of Mercy Family Services, which continues to run programs for children, young people and families. This includes foster care and residental care programs.

Commission of inquiry into abuse of children in Queensland institutions.

In August 1998 in Queensland, the Minister for Families, Youth and Community Care established a Commission of Inquiry to examine whether there had been any abuse, mistreatment or neglect of children in Queensland institutions.

This Inquiry is widely known as the Forde Inquiry, in reference to the Chairperson, Leneen Forde. The Committee reported on incidents of unsafe, improper and illegal treatment of children in Queensland institutions, including cases of sexual, physical, emotional and systems abuse. It is known as The Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Abuse of Children in Queensland Institutions.

Submissions from former residents of St Vincent's were taken at the inquiry. The full report is a public document, available free of charge to anyone who requests it from the Queensland Government. Its findings are detailed and explicit, A link to the report is available on this page.

Events

1935 - 1971

St Vincent's Home for Children was situated at Queens Road, Nudgee. Location: Nudgee