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Queensland - Organisation

Townsville Orphanage (1878 - 1934)

  • The Townsville orphanage, Warburton Street, 1913

    The Townsville orphanage, Warburton Street, 1913, courtesy of CityLibraries Townsville.
    Details

From
1878
To
1934
Categories
Government-run, Home and Orphanage

The Townsville Orphanage was established on 30th August 1878. The Queensland Government assumed control with the passing of the Orphanages Act 1879. In 1934, its name changed to the Townsville Receiving Depot.

Details

Original committee members charged with administering the orphanage were Gilbert William Eliot, the Reverend William Gray, Frederick Gordon, Patrick Francis Hanran and Joseph Hughes. The only change to this committee after the passing of the Orphanages Act 1879, was the replacement of Gilbert William Elliot with Charles Shortt Dicken, who occupied the position of Police Magistrate.

A matron was given the responsibility for running the orphanage with the assistance of a housemaid and a cook.

Annie Ball was appointed Matron of Townsville Orphanage in February 1899. Jean McIntyre was Matron of the Townsville Orphanage from March 1925 to October 1928.

Location

1878 - 1934
Address - Townsville Orphanage was located at 42 Warburton Street, North Ward, Townsville. Location: Townsville

Publications

Books

  • Queensland. Dept of Children's Services, Centenary of care for children, Govt Printer, [Brisbane], 1979, 32 pp. Details

Online Resources

Photos

The Townsville orphanage, Warburton Street, 1913
Title
The Townsville orphanage, Warburton Street, 1913
Type
Image
Date
1913
Source
CityLibraries Townsville

Details

Sources used to compile this entry: 'Carramar (Agency ID2493)', in Queensland State Archives website, Queensland Government, 2004 - 2013, http://www.archivessearch.qld.gov.au/Search/AgencyDetails.aspx?AgencyId=2493; 'Official Notifications', Brisbane Courier, 13 February 1899, p. 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3688185; Queensland. Dept of Children's Services, Centenary of care for children, Govt Printer, [Brisbane], 1979, 32 pp.

Prepared by: Lee Butterworth