Archives



Claremont Mental Hospital

Claremont Hospital for the Insane was established in 1903, becoming known as the Claremont Mental Hospital in 1933. It was a government-run facility that accommodated children and young people with intellectual and other disabilities until the hospital closed in 1972. Claremont Mental Hospital was Western Australia’s main mental health institution from 1903 to 1972. Children…

Whitby Falls Hospital

Whitby Falls Hospital was a government-run facility, established in 1897 at Jarrahdale, as an annexe of the Fremantle Asylum. Male psychiatric patients described as ‘quiet and chronic’ were sent there as well as adolescents with intellectual disabilities. In 1972 the hospital closed and a hostel was opened on the site. Whitby Falls Hospital was started…

Fremantle Asylum

Fremantle Asylum was a government-run facility, established in 1857 to house adults with mental illness. By the 1890s increasing numbers of children aged 9-15 years with intellectual and other disabilities were sent there. Fremantle Asylum closed in 1909. Fremantle Asylum was built and run by the colonial government from 1857. By the 1890s increasing numbers…

Chidley Educational Centre

The Chidley Educational Centre was established in 1976 by the Education Department of Western Australia in Mosman Park as a result of advocacy by the Isolated Country Parents’ Association. It was a short-term (six month) residential program for children from country areas who needed specialist learning support. In 1979, there were up to forty children…

Marangaroo

Marangaroo was the new name given in 1997 to the former Carine House. It was a Home for young men with disabilities, run by Mofflyn Child and Family Care Services in the suburb of Marangaroo.

Carine House

Carine House was the new name given to Collins House in 1987. It was run by Mofflyn Child and Family Care Services, and provided community-based long or short term care in a cottage setting for boys and girls of any age with special needs. In 1997, Carine House moved to Marangaroo.

WA School for Deaf Children

The WA School for Deaf Children was established in East Perth in 1896 as the West Australian Deaf and Dumb Instution. It moved to Buckland Hill (Mosman Park) in 1900. This residential school admitted children of all ages, including those who were wards of the state and private boarders, until the residential section closed in…

Redhill Reformatory School

Redhill was established by the Anglican Church (Perth Diocese) in 1903 as a ‘senior reformatory school’ and ‘home for neglected boys’, beginning with six boys sent by a magistrate. In 1921 Redhill became a home for boys and youth up to 18 years with intellectual development disorders (described at the time as ‘mentally defective’). Redhill…

Ngal-a Mothercraft Home and Training Centre Inc

The Ngal-a Mothercraft Home and Training Centre Inc (Ngala) was the new name given in 1956 to The Alexandra Home for Mothers and Babies (Inc) and Mothercraft Training School, in Highgate. In 1959 Ngala moved to Kensington. Ngala had three functions: a maternity home for mothers and babies; from 1959, the ‘reception centre’ for all…

McCall Centre

The McCall Centre began in West Perth in 1971 as a government-run Home intended for the long-term accommodation of up to 20 children aged from four years old, whom child welfare authorities diagnosed with significant emotional or behavioural issues. The Centre moved to Highgate in 1972, to Mosman Park in 1973, and by 1974 admitted…