Orana, the Peace Memorial Homes for Children, were established in 1953 in Burwood. Formerly, dormitory-style accommodation had been provided to children at the Methodist Homes for Children in Cheltenham.

The 1944 Annual Report for the Homes outlined a proposal to rebuild family style accommodation cottages on the Cheltenham site 'as soon as economic and social conditions permitted'.

At the Annual Methodist Conference in 1945 approval was given to a larger scheme involving the reconstruction of the whole of the buildings on a cottage plan.

The Chaplain General of the Army, Rev T C Rentoul, had plans for the new developments at Cheltenham to be built following the 'garden settlement' model. This model drew more heavily on the environmentalist theories of the Garden City movement than on child development theories. By the early post-war period, this model was giving way to having small homes in a suburban setting.

Committed to a new garden settlement and a peace memorial, Rentoul forged ahead with his plans and took an option on a twenty one acre orchard in Elgar Road. Burwood alongside Wattle Park. This became known as Orana, the Peace Memorial Homes for Children.

The move to Burwood was accompanied by a shift towards smaller, residential-style accommodation in units with 'cottage parents'.

In November 1955, the Methodist Peace Memorial Homes was declared an approved children's home under the Children's Welfare Act 1954.

On 28 February 1987, the new 'Orana Homes' were opened.

Location

1953

In 1953, the Methodist Homes for Children relocates to Elgar Road, Burwood, alongside Wattle Park, with a name change to Orana, the Peace Memorial Homes for Children. Location: Burwood