The Haven, North Fitzroy, was established by the Salvation Army in 1897. It had various functions over the years, including a maternity home, foundling hospital, babies' and toddlers' home, day care centre and hostel for girls with intellectual disabilities. It closed in 1988.
The Haven was situated at 73-75 Alfred Crescent, North Fitzroy. It was established by the Salvation Army as a 'Foundling Home and Refuge' in a substantial private residence in Alfred Crescent, North Fitzroy in 1897. The private home was modified to provide dormitories, a maternity hospital and a nursery. The Haven was then utilised as a maternity home for young mothers from around the State.
In 1932 a two storey hospital and nursing home was erected on the Alfred Crescent site to accommodate infants and toddlers. The Haven operated as a hostel for single mothers, and as a hospital and home for babies and toddlers until the mid 1970s.
The hospital section of The Haven was closed in 1967. Expectant mothers were then taken to the Royal Women's Hospital for their confinements.
In 1971 a new Babies' Home was opened at the rear of the older buildings. This consisted of a wing with a reception area, lounge, office for the Sister-in-Charge and a room for newborn babies awaiting adoption and babes up to six months. Another wing comprised four units each for five children.
At this time the Haven Hostel, Babies' and Toddlers home had accommodation for a maximum of 31 babies and toddlers from birth to three years. The Hostel section was still catering for single mothers whose babies were delivered at the Royal Women's Hospital, although the numbers had consistently decreased over the previous few years.
In May 1973 the Salvation Army advised the Department that it would be closing the babies' home in June and establishing a day care centre in its place.
In 1975 the function of the 'The Haven Centre' was further changed. Until its final closure in 1988, it operated as a hostel for girls with intellectual disabilities who needed supportive help and care.
Sources used to compile this entry: 'Submission number 167', in Commonwealth Contribution to Former Forced Adoption Policies and Practices: submissions received by the Committee, Commonwealth of Australia, 2011, http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/Completed_inquiries/2010-13/commcontribformerforcedadoption/submissions; 'Submission number 173', in Commonwealth Contribution to Former Forced Adoption Policies and Practices: submissions received by the Committee, Commonwealth of Australia, 2011, http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/Completed_inquiries/2010-13/commcontribformerforcedadoption/submissions; 'Submission number 291', in Commonwealth Contribution to Former Forced Adoption Policies and Practices: submissions received by the Committee, Commonwealth of Australia, 2011, http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/Completed_inquiries/2010-13/commcontribformerforcedadoption/submissions; 'The Haven Foundling Home & Refuge (1897 - 1988)', in Finding Records, Department of Health and Human Services, State of Victoria, https://www.findingrecords.dhhs.vic.gov.au/collectionresultspage/TheHaven. See the 'List of records held by the department' section for information about records relating to The Haven.; James Jenkinson Consulting, Guide to out-of-home care services 1940-2000 - Volume One: Agency Descriptions, Department of Human Services, Unpublished, November 2001, https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/DHS.3004.011.0367.pdf; The Salvation Army Australia Southern Territory, 'Children's Homes: A list of openings, closings and function (submission 46)', in Inquiry into Institutional Care: Submissions received as at 17/03/05, Commonwealth of Australia, 2005, http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/Completed_inquiries/2004-07/inst_care/submissions/sublist.
Prepared by: Cate O'Neill
Created: 1 May 2009, Last modified: 29 October 2018
Last updated: 7 August 2023
Cite this: https://www.findandconnect.gov.au/ref/vic/biogs/E000265b.htm
First published by the Find & Connect Web Resource Project for the Commonwealth of Australia, 2011
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