The main responsibility of the Department for Neglected Children upon its establishment was the maintenance and management of ‘neglected’ children including: supervision of State wards in receiving houses and probationary schools, provision of trade apprenticeships programs, ‘boarding out’ of children in the service of persons willing to take charge of their maintenance and education, provision…
The Department of Community Welfare Services, State Government of Victoria, came into being in 1978. Formerly, it was known as the Social Welfare Department. In 1983, the Department of Community Welfare Services comprised the Family and Adolescent Services Division, the Youth Services Section, the Adoption Section, Residential Child Care and the Regional Services Division. In…
The Children’s Protection Society (CPS) was established in 1971. Previously, it was known as the Victorian Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (founded in 1896). The Children’s Protection Society operated the following emergency shelter Homes: Robin House in Fitzroy, Swan House in Traralgon, Currawong House in Hamilton and Alys Keys House in Heidelberg….
Kildonan Homes for Children came into being in around 1960, following the sale of Kildonan’s children’s Home in Burwood. From the early 1960s, Kildonan ran family group homes in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs as well as a foster care program. From 1982 Kildonan operated residential units solely in Melbourne’s inner northern suburbs. In 1993, the organisation…
St Augustine’s Adolescent and Family Services, in Whittington (Geelong) was established in 1988 following the closure of St Augustine’s Boys’ Home at Highton. It provided small residential units, family support and specialist educational services. In 1997 St Augustine’s became part of MacKillop Family Services. St Augustine’s Adolescent and Family Services was located at Whittington, a…
The Methodist Babies’ Home in South Yarra was established in 1929. It organised the adoption of many babies in Victoria. In 1974, it became the Copelen Street Family Centre, offering foster care and preventive family services. The establishment of the Methodist Babies’ Home in 1929 coincided with the implementation of Victoria’s first adoption act (passed…
St Joseph’s Home for Children was the new name given in 1967 to the former St Joseph’s Home for Boys. It provided accommodation for boys aged from 2 to 10 years, and girls aged 2 to 12 years old. In 1981, the Home relocated to Flemington and provided emergency and short-term residential care and family…
Colac Foster Care was established and run by the Sisters of Mercy in around 1975.
Geelong Foster Care was established and run by the Sisters of Mercy in 1974. Geelong Foster Care operated until 1997. In 1972 and 1973 as policy changed towards shifting to smaller, community-based facilities the Sisters of Mercy purchased six local residences to establish family group homes. By 1975 children still residing at St. Catherine’s Children’s…
Mercy Family Care Centre in North Geelong was established by the Sisters of Mercy, following the closure of St Catherine’s Children’s’ Home in Highton in 1975. The Centre provided a family-focused model of care, including foster care, residential care, educational services and family support. In July 1997, Mercy Family Care became part of MacKillop Family…
Dec 18, 2024
Nov 15, 2024
