Phone Support:

  • 1800 16 11 09
    (free call)

Monday–Friday 9am–5pm

Want some help?

Does this page need updating?

What to expect when accessing records about you

What to expect when accessing records about you.

What to expect

Look for Similar

Other Find & Connect resources

Organisation The Haven (1897 - 1988)

  • Click to view details about this Photograph

    Brigadier Eva Stone, matron of The Haven, Salvation Army's home for unmarried mothers and unwanted babies [editor's note: this is the original caption], c. 1968, courtesy of Herald & Weekly Times Limited portrait collection, State Library of Victoria.
    Details

From
1897
To
1988
Categories
Children's Home, Home, Maternity Home, Protestant and Salvation Army

Summary

The Haven, North Fitzroy, was estabilshed 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.

Details

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 story 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.

Location

1897
The Haven is situated in 73-75 Alfred Crescent, North Fitzroy. Location: Fitzroy North

Skip to

Run By

Publications

Books

  • Georgeff, Diana, Delinquent Angel, Random House, 2007. Details

Newspaper Articles

  • '75 Alfred Crescent residence, Fitzroy North', The Age, Property Age, 18 June 1996, p. 1, 3. Details

Reports

  • James Jenkinson Consulting, Guide to out-of-home care services, 1940-2000, Department of Human Services, Unpublished. Details

Online Resources

Gallery

Title
The Haven Maternity Home, Melbourne
Type
Image

Details

Title
Brigadier Eva Stone, matron of The Haven, Salvation Army's home for unmarried mothers and unwanted babies [editor's note: this is the original caption]
Type
Image
Date
c. 1968
Control
Accession No: H38849/5727, Image No: hp004183
Source
Herald & Weekly Times Limited portrait collection, State Library of Victoria

Details

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/senate/committee/clac_ctte/comm_contrib_former_forced_adoption/submissions.htm; 'Submission number 173', in Commonwealth Contribution to Former Forced Adoption Policies and Practices: submissions received by the Committee, Commonwealth of Australia, 2011, http://aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate_Committees?url=clac_ctte/comm_contrib_former_forced_adoption/submissions.htm; 'Submission number 291', in Commonwealth Contribution to Former Forced Adoption Policies and Practices: submissions received by the Committee, Commonwealth of Australia, 2011, http://aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate_Committees?url=clac_ctte/comm_contrib_former_forced_adoption/submissions.htm; James Jenkinson Consulting, Guide to out-of-home care services, 1940-2000, Department of Human Services, Unpublished; 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_Committees?url=clac_ctte/completed_inquiries/2004-07/inst_care/submissions/sublist.htm.

Prepared by: Cate O'Neill

Created: 1 May 2009, Last modified: 15 April 2013