Archives



Bedford Hostel

Bedford Hostel opened in 1971 and provided accommodation to young Aboriginal women attending Edwards Business College. At first it was managed on behalf of the Department of Native Welfare by Edwards Business College before becoming government-run, probably by 1972. By the 1980s, Bedford Hostel was used for assessments and emergency placement and became one of…

Bamburra Hostel

Bamburra Hostel opened in 1970 in Yokine. It was for Aboriginal teenage girls from remote areas attending high school and other education and training, although from 1994 (or possibly earlier) boys were also admitted. Bamburra was run by the Churches of Christ Federal Aborigines Mission Board from 1970 to 1984. Since then it has been…

Ardross House

Ardross House opened in 1971 when Mogumber was being replaced by a number of small homes in Perth suburbs. At first, Ardross House was used for short term placements for up to eight girls aged 12-17 years, providing a base for Aboriginal children and young people to go to school and obtain other training in…

Applecross Cottage

Applecross Cottage opened in 1970 as a suburban cottage which was part of Mogumber. It was run by the Methodist Overseas Mission (1972-1974), Mogumber Training Centre (1974-1980) and Sister Kate’s Child and Family Care Services (1980-1985). In 1975, Applecross provided short term care for up to eight children aged 5 to 17 years in a…

Alvan House

Alvan House was established in 1950 by the Department of Native Affairs to provide metropolitan accommodation for Aboriginal schoolgirls in Mount Lawley. In 1959, responsibility for running Alvan House passed to the Baptist Union and Aboriginal ‘working boys’ rather than female students, were accommodated. In 1961, Katukutu Employment Hostel moved into the premises. Alvan House…

Wyadra Hostel

Wyadra Hostel, run by the Blind, Deaf and Dumb Institution, opened in New Town in 1952. It was initially for children with partial hearing and later for those with no hearing. The Hostel closed in 1957. Wyadra Hostel opened officially on 21 April 1952 in Clare Street, New Town. The Institute for the Blind and…

St Vincent de Paul Society Home for Boys at Waterton Hall

The St Vincent de Paul Society Home for Boys at Waterton Hall opened in 1978. It offered homeless boys accommodation, the opportunity to finish their schooling, and if they were over school age, training in farming. The Home closed in the 1990s. Waterton Hall was originally the site of a small Catholic girls’ school which…

Mara House

Mara House opened in Hobart in 1985. Community Hostels originally ran it. Until 1997, Mara was an approved children’s Home. In 2018, Mara accommodates young women aged 13 to 18. It is run by Home Base, which was known as Colony 47 until 2024. Mara House was funded by the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program which…

St Vincent de Paul Boys’ Hostel

The St Vincent de Paul Boys’ Hostel opened in Invermay in the early 1970s. It was for homeless adolescent boys. The Hostel closed in about 1980. A Mr Ferrall opened the Hostel after organising dances for young people. He asked one boy who went to them regularly, always shoeless and in old clothes, why he…

Blind, Deaf and Dumb Institution

The Blind, Deaf and Dumb Institution, run by the Society for the Blind, Deaf and Dumb, opened in North Hobart in 1898. It provided an education and industrial training to adults and children with hearing and sight disabilities. There was accommodation for the country children who attended the school on the site. The Institution closed…