Archives



Malmesbury Receiving Home

Malmesbury Receiving Home, run by the government, opened in West Hobart in the early 1960s in the building of the former Malmesbury Girls’ Home. It provided temporary accommodation for children who were wards of the state or supervised in other ways by the Social Welfare Department. In the early 1980s, Malmesbury Receiving Home became a…

Gilburn Receiving Home

Gilburn Receiving Home, run by the government, opened in Wynyard in 1959. It provided temporary accommodation for up to eight children who were wards of the state or supervised in other ways by the Social Services Department and its successor, the Social Welfare Department. In the early 1980s, it became Gilburn Family Group Home. Gilburn…

Casablanca Receiving Home

Casablanca Receiving Home, run by the government, opened c.1968. It was in Launceston. The Home provided temporary accommodation for children who were wards of state or supervised in other ways by the Social Welfare Department. In the early 1980s, it became Casablanca Family Group Home. A married woman, known as a Receiving Home Keeper, managed…

Rochebank Hostel

Rochebank Hostel, run by the government, opened in 1950 in the Glebe, apparently to accommodate children under the Domestic Service Assistance Scheme. After 1972, it also received teenage girls who were wards of state or supervised in other ways by the Social Services Department and its successors. Rochebank became a Family Group Home in the…

Northern Tasmanian Home for Boys

The Northern Tasmanian Home for Boys opened in Glenara in 1921. Before 1946, most of the boys were state wards. After that, the Home also admitted them by private arrangement. In 1971, the name changed to Glenara Northern Tasmanian Home for Boys. It became Glenara Children’s Home in 1973. The Northern Tasmanian Home for Boys…

Commissioner for Children

The Commissioner for Children was established in 2000. It is an independent, statutory office responsible to the Parliament of Tasmania. In 2014, the Commissioner’s functions include promoting the rights and well-being of children along with examining the policies, practices and services provided for children and any laws affecting their health, welfare, care, protection and development….

Kennerley Boys’ Home

Kennerley Boys’ Home opened in West Hobart in 1869. As an industrial school, it provided accommodation and training for boys considered to be neglected. In 1969, it became Kennerley Children’s Home. On 20 March 1876, the wealthy businessman, philanthropist, and Premier, Alfred Kennerley (1810-97), issued a Deed of Gift to enable ‘The Boys’ Home’, established…

Department of Health and Human Services, State of Tasmania

The Department of Health and Human Services succeeded the Department of Community and Health Services in 1998. Through its Children and Youth Services program the Department ran child and youth welfare services, including out of home care and adoptions, in Tasmania. In 2018 the Children and Youth Services program and the department’s functions regarding child…

Department of Community and Health Services, State of Tasmania

The Department of Community and Health Services replaced the Department of Community Services in 1993. It provided health care, including mental health, financial and other assistance to people with inadequate incomes, and managed family and children’s services, including the supervision of state wards. In 1998, its name changed to the Department of Health and Human…

Department of Community Services, State of Tasmania

The Department of Community Services replaced the Department for Community Welfare in 1989. It provided housing, financial and other assistance to people with inadequate incomes, and managed corrective, mental, family and children’s services, including the supervision of state wards. In 1993, it became the Department of Community and Health Services. In July 1989, shortly after…