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Mud Island Lazaret

Mud Island Lazaret was established by the NT Government on Mud Island, off Port Darwin in 1889 to quarantine people suffering from leprosy. Between 1920 and 1927 an average of 10 to 12 people, mainly Aboriginal and Chinese, were resident on the island. It is unclear whether this number included any children. However, in 1927…

East Arm Leprosarium

The East Arm Leprosarium opened in 1955 and replaced the Channel Island Leprosarium. Situated several kilometres south east of Darwin, it was run by the Northern Territory Administration and was staffed by nursing Sisters from the Catholic order, the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. Patients isolated at the Leprosarium included children as…

Channel Island Leprosarium

The Channel Island Leprosarium was opened by the Commonwealth Government in 1931. It replaced the Mud Island Lazaret. In 1943 Sisters from the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart took over the nursing duties on Channel Island. An increase in leprosy cases in the 1950s led to problems of overcrowding. Channel Island Leprosarium…

Stradbroke Island Lazaret

The Stradbroke Island Lazaret, on North Stradbroke Island in Moreton Bay, was established for the reception and medical treatment of lepers. Run by the State government, it opened in 1892 and closed in 1907. Stradbroke Island Lazaret was established over an area of approximately 17 acres, about a mile from Dunwich Jetty, on Stradbroke Island,…

Fantome Island Lazaret

The Fantome Island Lazaret, in the Palm Island Group off the coast of Townsville, was established for the detention and treatment of non-European suffers from Hansen’s Disease, more commonly known as leprosy. Run by the Queensland government, it opened in 1939 and closed in 1973. [Taken from ‘Fantome Island Lock Hospital and Lazaret Sites’, Department…

Friday Island Lazaret

The Friday Island Lazaret, situated on Friday Island in the Torres Strait, was established in 1892 as a leprosarium for non-European sufferers of leprosy. It was run by the Queensland government and closed in 1907. Remaining patients were moved to Peel Island. On 27 Oct 1892, Friday Island, Torres Strait, was proclaimed a lazaret under…

Dayman Island Lazaret

The Dayman Island Lazaret, in the Torres Strait, was established in 1889 as a leprosarium for non-European sufferers of leprosy. It was run by the Queensland government and closed in 1892. Remaining patients were moved to Friday Island. The Dayman Island facility received non-European patients, the majority of which were Chinese. South Sea Islander and…

Peel Island Lazaret

The Peel Island Lazaret, in Moreton Bay, was established for the detention and treatment of suffers from Hansen’s Disease, more commonly known as leprosy. Opening in 1907, Peel Island Lazaret was Australia’s first purpose-built, multi-racial lazaret in Australia. It was run by the Queensland State government and closed in 1959. Non-European patients from Friday Island…

Derby Leprosarium

The Derby Leprosarium had opened by December 1936, replacing an earlier ‘lazaret’ that had been attached to the Derby hospital. With approximately 1200 inmates over its 50 years, it was the largest institution for people with leprosy in Australia (Robson, 2016). Children lived at Derby Leprosarium and some babies were born there. It closed in…