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Queensland - Organisation
Holy Cross Retreat (1889 - 1978)
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Magdalene Asylum at Wooloowin, Brisbane, 1937, 1937, courtesy of Picture Queensland, John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland.
DETAILS
- From
- 13 October 1889
- To
- 1978
- Categories
- Children's Home, Disability Institution, Catholic, Home, Maternity Home
- Alternative Names
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- Magdalen Asylum, Wooloowin
- Holy Cross Magdalen Asylum, Wooloowin
- Holy Cross Retreat and Infants Home
Holy Cross Retreat or Magdalen Asylum, in Wooloowin, was operated by the Order of the Sisters of Mercy. It opened in 1889 as a home for unmarried mothers, disabled girls and infants. It ceased operating as a home for very young children in 1959. From 1974 it no longer cared for children but provided continuing care for physically and ntellectually disabled persons and single mothers. In 1978 its function changed to a centre for intellectually and physically disabled persons and was renamed Mercy Centre.
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Mother Mary Vincent was instrumental in the establishment of Holy Cross Retreat. She came to Queensland from Ireland in 1861.
The Holy Cross Retreat foundation stone was laid on Sunday 22nd April 1888 by Archbishop Dr Dunne. The Holy Cross Retreat was then opened 13th October 1889 by the Governor Sir Henry Norman. This institution was also referred to as the Magdalen Asylum. The girls worked in the laundry which was co-located on the site. State Government funds contributed to the running of the institution.
Holy Cross Retreat was licensed in 1895 under the Orphanages Act 1879 , then under the State Children Act 1911. It was licensed again under the Children's Services Act 1965.
Locations
- 13 October 1889 - 1978
- Location - Holy Cross Retreat was situated at Chalk Street, Wooloowin
Timeline
- 1889 - 1978
- Holy Cross Retreat
- 1977 -
- Mercy Centre
- Collection Title
- Adoption Records
- Date Range
- -
- Reference
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- Contact
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Please contact Adoption Services Queensland:
Postal Address: Locked Bag 3405, Brisbane QLD 4001
Phone: (07) 3097 5100 or 1800 647 983 (free call within Queensland)
Email: ads@cyjma.qld.gov.au
Website: https://www.qld.gov.au/community/caring-child/adoption/contact-adoption-services
DETAILS
- Collection Title
- Records and Archives, Children's Institutions (c. 1900 - c. 1995)
- Date Range
- 1900 - 1995
- Reference
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- Contact
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Please contact the the Coordinator, Records Request, Sisters of Mercy, Brisbane Congregation:
Address: Sisters of Mercy, Brisbane Congregation Office, PO Box 287, Toowong DC QLD 4066
Email: RecordsRequest@sombris.org.au
DETAILS
Holy Cross at Wooloowin, operated by the Brisbane Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy
Holy Cross entry/despatch section of laundry building
Magdalene Asylum at Wooloowin, Brisbane, 1937
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