The St Joseph's Orphanage Largs Bay, formerly known as St Joseph's Sanatorium, was the second orphanage to be managed by the Sisters of St Joseph. The original Sanatorium moved from Kalgoorlie Street in Largs Bay to a larger premises on the Esplanade near the Largs Bay jetty in 1906. Although the Sanatorium continued for a time to accommodate women in the new premises, the Sisters began to concentrate on its role as an orphanage for boys and girls from infancy to school leaving age. In 1907 the then Archbishop of Adelaide, Archbishop O'Reily, established the Home as St Joseph's Orphanage. By 1908 the large building was becoming overcrowded so a cottage on an adjoining lot was purchased. In 1910 sixty-two children were being cared for in the orphanage and by 1912 the Sisters were running out of room for the numbers of children being referred to them. Over the next few years a number of additions were made to the building, including a schoolroom in 1912 and a kitchen and laundry in 1917.

In 1941, after the arrival of Archbishop Matthew Beovich in Adelaide, the focus of the Orphanage changed. The Archbishop arranged for all the older boys from the orphanages at Goodwood and Largs Bay to be placed at Brooklyn Park under the care of the Brothers of St John the Baptist and later the Salesians of Don Bosco. All girls were moved to the St Vincent de Paul orphanage and St Joseph's took charge of boys aged between three and twelve.

During the 1960s the home accommodated up to sixty boys under the care of seven Sisters. At that time the institution became known as St Joseph's Junior Boys Home. The boys were accommodated in three dormitories, divided by their age. They were educated at a kindergarten and school run by three resident Sisters who were registered school teachers. They also received religious instruction from the Sisters.

From 1969 a small number of girls were admitted and one of the dormitories was set aside for their use. The home then became known as St Joseph's Children's Home.

Events

1906 - 1969

St Joseph's Orphanage situated at 208 The Esplanade, Largs Bay. Location: Largs Bay