The Salvation Army works with the poor, the homeless and the underprivileged. The blueprint for much of its social work was Commandant Herbert Booth's study of poverty In Darkest England and the Way Out, first published in 1890. The publication of Booth's book coincided with the Depression of the 1890s in the Australian colonies, and led to the development of a series of strategies and programs to combat poverty. This, and the arrival in Australia in 1896 of Booth, saw the real commencement of the Army's social work in Australia. This included, among other things, the establishment of maternity and rescue homes, which later evolved into maternity hospitals, and the children's homes.
The Salvation Army conducted a number of institutions. In 1921, it was granted 5 shillings per week for every orphan in its care by the NSW Government. This allowance was extended to a range of private institutions that cared for children.
Via its website, the Salvation Army acknowledges the hurt caused to many children who lived in some its homes and issues an unreserved apology. It urges people who have grievances about their treatment in Salvation Army children's homes and orphanages to contact its Professional Standards Office.
The Salvation Army Eastern Territory holds records of the children's homes and programmes that operated in New South Wales and Queensland.
We do not currently have any photographs linked to this entry. If you know of any additional photographs, please contact us.
The Find & Connect Support Service can help people who lived in orphanages and children's institutions look for their records.
Last updated:
07 June 2023
Cite this: http://www.findandconnect.gov.au/guide/nsw/NE00208
First published by the Find & Connect Web Resource Project for the Commonwealth of Australia, 2011
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