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Queensland - Organisation

Riverview Training Farm (1926 - 1956)

  • Collage of images from the Salvation Army training farm for youths, Riverview

    Collage of images from the Salvation Army training farm for youths, Riverview, c. 1935, courtesy of Picture Queensland, John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland.
    Details

From
1926
To
1956
Categories
Farm School, Home, Industrial School, Receiving Agency, Reformatory and Salvation Army
Alternative Names
  • Riverview (Also known as)
  • Riverview Training Farm for Boys (Also known as)
  • Riverview Training Farm for Overseas Boys (Also known as)

The Riverview Training Farm, in Riverview, was operated by the Salvation Army. In 1926 its function changed from a boys reformatory to a training farm for local boys and British 'child migrants' over 14 years. In 1935 it once again became an Industrial School. The name changed to Home for Boys, Riverview in 1956 when it ceased operating as an Industrial School.

Details

The Industrial School for Boys at Riverview was opened in 1898 as a boys' reformatory. In 1926 it was changed from a reformatory to a farm training school for immigrant boys and local youths. The Salvation Army was involved in child migration from Britain to Australia and in 1927 the Queensland Government agreed to contribute half the yearly cost of the reception and resettlement expenses of 100 boys. This was to assist the Salvation Army in providing agricultural training at the Riverview farm.

The reformatory work was transferred to the government-run home at Westbrook, however the Industrial School reopened in 1935. In 1950 extensions to the training farm were completed. During the 1950s the Salvation Army Training Home for Boys at Riverview admitted 77 boys under the child migrant scheme. Only "child migrants" over 14 years of age were accepted,on account of the type of work involved at the training farm.

The Riverview Training Farm was licensed under The Children's Services Act on 4 August 1966.

In 1998, former residents of Riverview Training Farm made submissions to the Commission of Inquiry into Abuse of Children in Queensland Institutions (widely known as the Forde Inquiry). 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. Its findings were detailed and explicit.

In January 2014, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse commenced a public hearing into response of the Salvation Army (Eastern Territory) to child sexual abuse in children's Homes in Queensland and New South Wales, including the Riverview Training Farm. The evidence to be heard was to have a particular focus to the years 1966-1977, although the Royal Commission stated it expected to hear allegations dating back to as early as 1936.

Location

1926 - 1956
Address - The Riverview Training Farm was situated at 29 Riverview Road, Riverview. Location: Riverview

Timeline

 1898 - 1926 Industrial School for Boys, Riverview
       1926 - 1956 Riverview Training Farm
             1956 - 1966 Home for Boys, Riverview
                   1966 - 1969 Training Farm for Boys
                         1969 - 1973 Endeavour Training Farm
                               c. 1973 - c. 1977 Hillsdale Village for Boys

Related Events

Related Glossary Terms

Publications

Books

  • Department of Families, Missing pieces: information to assist former residents of children's institutions to access records, State of Queensland, 2001. p.43. Details
  • Porter, Warren and Scott, Glyn (editor), A Tormented Life, Warren Porter, Strathalbyn, South Australia, 2010. Details

Reports

Resources

  • Shew, Nigel, Personal Story by Nigel, Care Leavers Australia Network, 2013. Details

Online Resources

Photos

Training, Riverview
Title
Training, Riverview
Type
Document
Source
National Archives of Australia

Details

Training - Riverview Farm - Salvation Army
Title
Training - Riverview Farm - Salvation Army
Type
Document
Source
National Archives of Australia

Details

Boys standing on the verandah of the Queensland Home for Boys, Riverview
Title
Boys standing on the verandah of the Queensland Home for Boys, Riverview
Type
Image
Date
c. 1910
Source
Picture Queensland, John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland

Details

Immigrants and staff, Salvation Army Home, Riverview, October 1926
Title
Immigrants and staff, Salvation Army Home, Riverview, October 1926
Type
Image
Date
October 1926
Source
Queensland State Archives

Details

Child migration - British youth migrants learning how to mount and ride a horse at the Salvation Army Training Farm for Boys, Riverview, Queensland.
Title
Child migration - British youth migrants learning how to mount and ride a horse at the Salvation Army Training Farm for Boys, Riverview, Queensland.
Type
Image
Date
1927
Source
National Archives of Australia

Details

Child migration - British youth migrants having their daily swim at the Salvation Army Training Farm for Boys at Riverview, Queensland. When they first arrived very few could swim. Now they all can.
Title
Child migration - British youth migrants having their daily swim at the Salvation Army Training Farm for Boys at Riverview, Queensland. When they first arrived very few could swim. Now they all can.
Type
Image
Date
1927
Source
National Archives of Australia

Details

Collage of images from the Salvation Army training farm for youths, Riverview
Title
Collage of images from the Salvation Army training farm for youths, Riverview
Type
Image
Date
c. 1935
Source
Picture Queensland, John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland

Details

Immigration - Child migration schemes - Salvation Army Training farm, Riverview, Queensland
Title
Immigration - Child migration schemes - Salvation Army Training farm, Riverview, Queensland
Type
Image
Date
1952
Source
National Archives of Australia

Details

Plaque unveiled at Riverview on 21st April 2007
Title
Plaque unveiled at Riverview on 21st April 2007
Type
Object
Date
2007
Publisher
Salvation Army

Details

Plaque on memorial plinth at Riverview
Title
Plaque on memorial plinth at Riverview
Type
Object
Date
2012
Publisher
Salvation Army

Details

Salvation Army Hall, Riverview
Title
Salvation Army Hall, Riverview
Type
Image
Date
2013
Creator
Butterworth, Lee
Source
Lee Butterworth

Details

Bethany, farm manager cottage Riverview
Title
Bethany, farm manager cottage Riverview
Type
Image
Date
2013
Creator
Butterworth, Lee
Source
Lee Butterworth

Details

Entrance drive Riverview
Title
Entrance drive Riverview
Type
Image
Date
2013
Creator
Butterworth, Lee
Source
Lee Butterworth

Details

Entrance to Riverview Farm
Title
Entrance to Riverview Farm
Type
Image
Date
2013
Creator
Butterworth, Lee
Source
Lee Butterworth

Details

Front entrance to original home, Riverview
Title
Front entrance to original home, Riverview
Type
Image
Date
2013
Creator
Butterworth, Lee
Source
Lee Butterworth

Details

Original buildings, Riverview
Title
Original buildings, Riverview
Type
Image
Date
2013
Creator
Butterworth, Lee
Source
Lee Butterworth

Details

Looking towards visitor residence
Title
Looking towards visitor residence
Type
Image
Date
2013
Creator
Butterworth, Lee
Source
Lee Butterworth

Details

Sources used to compile this entry: Department of Families, Missing pieces: information to assist former residents of children's institutions to access records, State of Queensland, 2001. p.43.; Good British Stock: Child and Youth Migration to Australia, The Salvation Army, 2013, https://www.naa.gov.au/help-your-research/research-guides/good-british-stock-child-and-youth-migration-australia.

Prepared by: Lee Butterworth