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Victoria - Organisation

Ballarat Female Refuge (1867 - 1921)

  • Female Refuge Complex, 183 Scott Parade, Ballarat East [former site]

    Female Refuge Complex, 183 Scott Parade, Ballarat East [former site]
    Details

From
1867
To
1921
Categories
Female Rescue Home, Home, Maternity Home and Non-denominational
Alternative Names
  • Ballarat Female Home (c. 1900 - )
  • Ballarat Town and City Mission Rescue Home (1921 - )

The Ballarat Female Refuge was established in 1867 by a group of protestant women, with the objective of reforming 'prostitutes'. It became a shelter for single mothers. It was the first such institution on Australia's goldfields. In 1921, the Refuge became part of the Ballarat Town and City Mission Rescue and Children's Home.

Details

Initially, the Female Refuge was managed by a ladies' committee and a committee comprising lay men and ministers from various Protestant denominations.

The Ballarat Female Refuge's first location was in Grant Street, Ballarat. In 1885, it moved to new premises at 183 Scott Parade.

In 1921, the Ballarat Town and City Mission took over the management of the Ballarat Female Refuge.

At this time, a new institution for single mothers and their babies was established by the Mission, on the site of the original Refuge at 183 Scott Parade. This institution was known as the Ballarat Town and City Mission Rescue and Children's Home. The Alexandra Babies' Home (built in 1909) was situated on the same complex, at 187 Scott Parade.

Location

1867 - 1885
Location - Ballarat Female Refuge was located in Grant Street, Ballarat. Location: Ballarat
1885 - 1921
Location - Ballarat Female Refuge relocated to Scott Parade, Ballarat. Location: Ballarat

Timeline

 1867 - 1921 Ballarat Female Refuge
       c. 1921 - 1941 Ballarat Town and City Mission Rescue and Children's Home

Related Glossary Terms

Related Organisations

  • Alexandra Babies' Home (c. 1909 - 1974)

    The Alexandra Babies' Home began operation as part of the Ballarat Female Refuge. It was located on the same site as the original refuge at 183 Scott Parade.

Publications

Reports

  • Golding, Frank, Orphanages in Ballarat – brief historical notes (draft), 2009. Details

Online Resources

  • Wickham, Dorothy Glennys, Beyond the Wall: Ballarat Female Refuge, A Study in Moral Authority, A thesis submitted in total fulfillment of the requirements of the degree Masters of Philosophy, Australian Catholic University, 2003, http://researchbank.acu.edu.au/theses/69/. Details

Photos

Female Refuge Complex, 183 Scott Parade, Ballarat East [former site]
Title
Female Refuge Complex, 183 Scott Parade, Ballarat East [former site]
Type
Image

Details

Sources used to compile this entry: Golding, Frank, Orphanages in Ballarat – brief historical notes (draft), 2009; Wickham, Dorothy Glennys, Beyond the Wall: Ballarat Female Refuge, A Study in Moral Authority, A thesis submitted in total fulfillment of the requirements of the degree Masters of Philosophy, Australian Catholic University, 2003, http://researchbank.acu.edu.au/theses/69/.

Prepared by: Cate O'Neill