Malvern Cottage was opened by the government at Malvern in 1972. It provided accommodation for up to ten State children who were generally of school-going age. Malvern Cottage closed in 1980.
Malvern Cottage at 72 Cheltenham Street, Malvern, was purchased by the Department of Community Welfare in 1972. It opened on 8 December 1972. It provided accommodation for children who were wards of the State in a 'family group'. It accommodated up to ten children who were generally of school-going age.
Departmental Annual Reports from the 1960s stressed the belief that cottage style care enabled greater individual attention to be given to each child. The Department also felt that children living in cottage style accommodation and attending local schools would be less conspicuous as 'State' children, making it easier for them to become part of the local community. The cottage system also allowed for brothers and sisters to be placed together. Reports also noted that providing cottage style care was less costly for the government than running large institutions.
Malvern Cottage closed in 1980.
Sources used to compile this entry: George, Karen, Finding your own way, Nunkuwarrin Yunti of South Australia Inc., 2005, http://nunku.org.au/resources/; Mullighan, the Hon E.P., Children in State Care Commission of Inquiry: Allegations of sexual abuse and death from criminal conduct, presented to the South Australian Parliament by the Hon. E.P. Mullighan QC, Commisioner, Children in State Care Commission of Enquiry, Adelaide, South Australia, 2008, 564 pp, https://www.childprotection.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/107201/children-in-state-care-commission-of-inquiry-introducation.pdf.
Prepared by: Karen George and Gary George
Created: 14 February 2011, Last modified: 13 February 2014