The Tasmanian State Archives opened in 1949. This was the first attempt in Tasmania to manage, rather than just hold, state records. In 1962, it became the Archives Office of Tasmania. Before 1949, the Chief Secretary’s Department held state records. They kept them in the basement of the government buildings in Franklin Square, Hobart. In…
The Guardianship and Administration Board, established in 1995, replaced the Guardianship Board. In 2014, it appoints guardians for adults with intellectual disabilities, manages their financial affairs if necessary, and organises enduring powers of attorney. According to the website of the Guardianship and Administration Board, it ‘can make decisions for the benefit of persons who have…
The Launceston City Mission, Launceston Town City Mission until 1889, was founded in 1854. Its brief was to spread the gospel to non-church goers in inner city working class communities. In 2014, the Launceston City Mission is still active. Like the London City Mission, the Launceston City Missioners were Protestant but non-denominational. City Missioners saw…
The Neglected Children’s Department was established in March 1897. It was the first government department in Tasmania that specifically managed children who were considered to be offenders or neglected. In 1901, following Australian federation, Tasmania became a state and the state government took over the management of the Neglected Children’s Department. The Youthful Offenders, Destitute…
The Charitable Grants Department, also known as the office of the Administrator of Charitable Relief, was originally administered by the Colony of Tasmania. In 1901, following Australian federation, the newly formed state government took it over. The Department provided outdoor relief, that is, funds or food given to poor people not living in an institution….
Anglicare Tasmania began in 1977. It was originally called the Diocesan Social Welfare Committee, and was established in October 1977 by the Anglican Church of Tasmania Synod. From 1983 until 1988 the organisation was called the Anglican Family Care Service. In 1988 it officially changed its name to Anglicare. Anglicare Tasmania assists people who have…
The Tasmania Prison Service dates from 2000. It is located within the Department of Justice. In 2014, the Service manages the Risdon Prison Complex, Ron Barwick Minimum Security Prison, Mary Hutchinson Women’s Prison, Hayes Prison Farm, the Hobart Reception Centre, and the Launceston Reception Centre. It holds an incomplete collection of prison records.
Mental Health Services is a division within the Department of Health and Human Services. In 2014, it offers care and treatment to people with mental illness, assistance to people affected by drug and alcohol, promotes mental health and wellbeing, and provides primary mental health care in the prison system.
The Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment is involved in activities that concern the built heritage, the environment, agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, and the management of property, titles, and maps. One of the Department’s predecessors, the Department of Environment and Planning, was sometimes involved in planning for the buildings occupied by children’s Homes.
Reeve House, run by the government, opened in about 1992 in Hadspen, near Launceston. As a family group Home, it provided temporary accommodation for children who were wards of state or supervised in other ways by the Department of Community Services and its successors. Reeve House was still open in 2011. A married woman managed…
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