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Queensland School for the Deaf

The Queensland School for the Deaf, in Dutton Park, was run by a committee of private citizens until 1918 when the State Government took control. The school was known under various aliases during the years but it is only officially called the Queensland School for the Deaf. It opened 1 February 1883 and closed December…

Xavier Home for Crippled Children

The Xavier Home for Crippled Children, in Coorparoo, operated from 1949 to 1994. The weatherboard house was purchased by the Xavier Society in the 1940s to become a Home for children afflicted by polio.  It was officially opened by Catholic Archbishop of Brisbane Duhig on 15 May 1949. From 1951, the Xavier Home was run by…

A black and white photograph showing villas constructed with brick, surrounded by trees

Basil Stafford Centre

The Basil Stafford Centre was established in 1968. The Centre provided accommodation and associated care services for intellectually disabled people, including children. The Centre was originally part of the Wolston Park Special Hospital, then in 1960 a separate centre providing institutional accommodation for children was established adjacent to the Hospital. It was named the Basil…

Challinor Centre

The Challinor Centre, in Ipswich was previously known as the Ipswich Special Hospital. The Challinor Centre was closed in 1998, following the site’s purchase by the University of Queensland for the location of its Ipswich campus. The heritage listed buildings of the former Challinor Centre were integrated into the university campus. In the late 1960s…

Ipswich Special Hospital

The Ipswich Special Hospital was previously known as the Ipswich Mental Hospital. In 1968 the name changed to the Challinor Centre.

Mercy Centre

The Mercy Centre, in Wooloowin, is operated by the Sisters of Mercy. It was previously known as the Holy Cross Retreat. In 1977 a new building was erected for the physically and mentally disabled. Care for unmarried mothers continued. This new complex was renamed Mercy Centre.

Cootharinga Society of North Queensland

Cootharinga Society of North Queensland was previously called the North Queensland Society for Crippled Children. The name change occured in 1991.

Cootharinga North Queensland

Cootharinga North Queensland was previously known as the Cootharinga Society of North Queensland. In 2002 the organisation gained membership with Ability First Australia.

North Queensland Society for Crippled Children

The North Queensland Society for Crippled Children was founded in 1951 by a group of citizens to provide care, education and training of children who contracted poliomyelitis during the poliomyelitis epidemic. In 1991, the North Queensland Society for Crippled Children changed its name to Cootharinga Society of North Queensland.

Ipswich Mental Hospital

The Ipswich Mental Hospital was previously known as the Ipswich Hospital for the Insane. In 1940 an extra wing was added to the building that accommodated mentally handicapped children. It became known as Dagmar House. [Taken from ‘Ipswich Mental Hospital (1938-1964)’: UQ Ipswich Campus Progression of an Institution] Dr Basil Stafford was Superintendent at Ipswich…