Port Pirie Cottage, at 23 Butterick Street, Port Pirie, was the first country based cottage home run by the Children's Welfare and Public Relief Department. It opened on 29 October 1962. It initially housed only two or three children.
Departmental Annual Reports from the 1960s stress the belief that cottage style care enabled greater individual attention to be given to each child. The Department also felt that children living in cottage style accommodation and attending local schools would be less conspicuous as 'State' children, making it easier for them to become part of the local community. The cottage system aimed to simulate a form of family life with children sleeping in bedrooms rather than dormitories. It also allowed for brothers and sisters to be placed together. It was expected that children would attend church and other social activities as members of the cottage family.
Departmental reports also noted that providing cottage style care was less costly for the government than running large institutions.
Port Pirie Cottage was renamed Port Pirie Family Home in 1972.
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Last updated:
08 April 2021
Cite this: http://www.findandconnect.gov.au/guide/sa/SE00107
First published by the Find & Connect Web Resource Project for the Commonwealth of Australia, 2011
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