Archives



Latrobe St Ragged School and Mission

The Latrobe St Ragged School and Mission was a non-denominational organisation established by volunteers in 1865. The school and mission offered a range of classes and services to ‘waifs and strays’. In 1895 the Latrobe St Ragged School and Mission became the Melbourne Boys’ Ragged Home and Mission. The Latrobe St Ragged School and Mission,…

Wesley Central Parish Mission

Wesley Central Parish Mission came into being in 1977. It was formerly known as Wesley Central Mission. In 2001, it was renamed Wesley Mission Melbourne.

Glastonbury at Colac

‘Glastonbury at Colac’ was established in 1977 when Glastonbury Children’s Home in Geelong purchased St Cuthbert’s Children’s Home. It operated three family group homes on the site. The Geelong-based organisation Glastonbury Children’s Home had a longstanding concern for children in Victoria’s Western District. Glastonbury purchased St Cuthbert’s Children’s Home in Colac when it closed in…

St Joseph’s Home for Children, Christian Brothers

St Joseph’s Home for Children in Flemington came under the management of the Christian Brothers in 1991. Previously, it was run by the Sisters of St Joseph. In July 1997, St Joseph’s Home for Children became part of MacKillop Family Services.

Public Record Office Victoria

The Public Record Office Victoria (PROV) was established under the Public Records Act 1973, as the archives of the State Government of Victoria. PROV holds records relating to the government’s involvement in child welfare and protection, charitable institutions, adoption, and juvenile justice. It also holds records relating to Aboriginal people. PROV is also home to…

Chief Secretary’s Department

The Chief Secretary’s Department played a significant role in the administration of Victorian government agencies from the time of its establishment in 1855. Prior to this, the Colonial Secretary had responsibility for many of these functions. For a long period of Victoria’s history, the Chief Secretary’s Department was the body with ultimate responsibility for wards…

Hospitals and Charities Commission

The Hospitals and Charities Commission came into being in 1948 under the terms of the Hospitals and Charities Act 1948 (no.5200). The Commission assumed responsibility for functions previously administered by the Charities Board. Its responsibilities included the management and registration of institutions providing residential care to children and young people. The Commission was responsible for…

State Library of Victoria

The State Library of Victoria (SLV) was established in 1854 as a place where all Victorians could go seeking information and knowledge. The State Library of Victoria is the repository for many record collections related to the history of child welfare in Victoria.

OzChild

OzChild was created in July 1993, when three long-established child welfare agencies – Family Action, Family Focus, and The National Children’s Bureau of Australia – amalgamated to form Oz Child: Children Australia Inc. which later operated as OzChild. OzChild is one of Australia’s oldest independent children’s welfare organisations, with a history of helping children since…

Charities Board of Victoria

The Charities Board of Victoria came into being in 1923 under the terms of the Hospitals and Charities Act 1922 (no.3260). The Board was responsible for benevolent societies and institutions which were supported in whole or in part by voluntary contributions and which had as one of their objects the provision of ‘charitable relief to…