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The Patients’ Records Giving Personal Details and Details of Treatment contain information about people receiving treatment at the Mothercraft Home between 1964 and 1969. Access Conditions These records are open and accessible by the public. For access to these records please contact Tasmanian Archives.

The Protestant Federation Children’s Home (PFCH) records is a collection of records created by the Protestant Federation Children’s Home. The records include: Basic admission information “Roll Call” books which kept admission and discharge information from 1964-1980 Minutes of the Protestant Federation Children’s Home Board of Management 1975-1982 which include admission and discharge information. These records occasionally have more details about children’s time in care or their family circumstances. Some later records include additional information about the child’s time in care, or social worker or psychologist reports on the child’s family. In 1980, at the closure of the Protestant Federation Children’s Home, Church of England Homes relocated the children and took custody of the home’s records. Some of the children who had been at PFCH entered care with Church of England Homes. In these cases, their records from their

Swan Homes, in Middle Swan was created from a merger of two Anglican children’s homes in 1943. The Perth Girls’ Orphanage was evacuated to Swan Boys’ Orphanage at Middle Swan during World War II, and the two children’s homes merged into one institution. During this time, the type of accommodation changed from dormitories to large houses on the Middle Swan site. Swan Homes admitted children who were wards of the State, child migrants from Britain, and children placed privately by family or others. In 1960, Swan Homes became Swanleigh.

The Alice Springs Gaol was the new name given to the Stuart Town Gaol in 1933 when the town of Stuart was officially renamed Alice Springs. Run by the government the Gaol housed male and female, adult and juvenile prisoners. In 1938 the Alice Springs Gaol was closed. It was replaced by HM Gaol and Labour Prison, Alice Springs. The Alice Springs Gaol was the new name given to the Stuart Town Gaol in 1933 when the town of Stuart was officially renamed Alice Springs. Located at 8 Parsons Street, Alice Springs, and run by the government the Gaol housed male and female, adult and juvenile prisoners. In 1938 the Alice Springs Gaol was closed. It was replaced by HM Gaol and Labour Prison, Alice Springs. In March 1942, after Darwin was bombed by the Japanese and the whole of the Northern Territory administration moved to Alice Springs, the Stuart Town Gaol was taken over by the Commonwealth Bank. When the bank moved out it was used by local police as a storage facility. In the 1960s it b

The Stuart Town Gaol was opened by the government in Alice Springs, then called Stuart, in 1909. It housed male and female, adult and juvenile prisoners. The Stuart Town Gaol became known as the Alice Springs Gaol in 1933 when the town of Stuart was officially renamed Alice Springs. The South Australian Government began building the Stuart Town Gaol in 1907 just before it handed control of the Northern Territory to the Commonwealth Government. Located at 8 Parsons Street, the Gaol was built out of local stone. It had two cells. A small cell at the front of the building was for European prisoners. They slept on wooden benches. A large cell at the back was for Aboriginal prisoners. They slept on the floor on mats. The Aboriginal prisoners also had an exercise yard. The Gaol was built when the town of Alice Springs, then called Stuart, had a European population of about 30. The Northern Territory at that time had a settled Aboriginal population of about 200 and central Australia

The Wildman River Wilderness Work Camp was established by the government in May 1986. It was a low security bush work camp for males aged 14 -18 who had been in lots of trouble with the law and was intended as an alternative to prison time. Residents and staff built the camp. By 1991 the camp had beds for 15 or 16 youths. The Wildman River Wilderness Work Camp ceased to operate as a detention centre in 2004. The Wildman River Wilderness Work Camp was situated on the Mary River near Kakadu National Park about one and a half hours drive from Darwin in an area with no towns and fewer than two hundred people. The camp was a ten acre-bush block with a 1.5 metre high cattle fence around it. It operated as a low security bush work camp for males aged 14 -18 who had been in lots of trouble with the law. Its remoteness was meant to stop escape. The camp was established in 1986 shortly after the Northern Territory government made new laws about juvenile crime and handed the job of looking

Bunyip House opened in Darwin in 1981. Run by Somerville Homes and its successor Somerville Community Services, it provided residential care and treatment for children with severe disabilities. It accommodated up to 7 children. The closing date for Bunyip House is not yet known. Records suggest it may have closed in the mid-1980s. Bunyip House opened in Darwin in 1981 as a group Home for children with disabilities. It was initially known as the Trower Road Project as it was located in the building of the former Trower Road Cottage at 37 Trower Road, Rapid Creek. Bunyip House was run by Somerville Homes, and its successor Somerville Community Services, with financial assistance from the government. Its establishment marked the move of Somerville Homes into the care of children with disabilities. Somerville Homes began discussing the need for residential care for children with moderate to severe disabilities in 1980. At that time there was no residential care, apart from short term

The Pine Creek Home, which had operated from 1931 to 1932, was reopened by the government in 1940 as a place for Aboriginal children who were being transferred from government institutions to various Missions. In late 1940, 70 children were in residence in the Home. Pine Creek Home only operated for a matter of months and closed in 1941. Records suggest that the Pine Creek Home may also have been used during 1942 as temporary accommodation for people being evacuated from the Northern Territory during World War II. In 1939 the new Native Affairs Branch, on a recommendation from the then Chief Medical Officer and Protector of Aborigines, Dr Cecil Cook, began negotiations with various religious organisations to have each denomination take charge of their own so called ‘half-caste’ children. When the agreement was reached many children from The Bungalow and Myilly Point Home were moved out to the Missions. The Pine Creek Home at Pine Creek, approximately 200km south east of Darwin, h

Fox Crescent Cottage opened in Stuart Park in 1972. Run by Somerville Homes Incorporated it was the last of the six cottages which made up Somerville Cottage Homes. It accommodated up to eight children aged between 4 and 16 years under the supervision of cottage parents. The Cottage closed in 1974 and became a staff residence. Fox Crescent Cottage opened in 1972 in the Darwin suburb of Rapid Creek. It was the last of six family group homes known as Somerville Cottage Homes. The Homes were run by Somerville Homes Incorporated, an association established by the United Church in Northern Australian and the Methodist Overseas Mission. The other Somerville Cottage Homes were located in Chapman Road, Trower Road Clarke Crescent in Rapid Creek and Luxton and Henry Street in Stuart Park. Fox Street Cottage provided care for up to eight children, both Aboriginal and non Aboriginal, aged between 4 and 16 years under the supervision of cottage parents. A statistical summary dated 30 June 19

Matthews Cottage, St Mary’s opened in Alice Springs in 1973 as one of three town based family group homes. The others were Leslie Cottage and Heath Cottage. Run by St Mary’s Child and Family Welfare Service who also ran St Mary’s Children’s Village, Matthews Cottage provided cottage style accommodation for up to ten children under the supervision of cottage parents. Records suggest that Matthews Cottage closed in the 1980s. Matthews Cottage, St Mary’s was opened in 1973 by the Anglican organisation, St Mary’s Child and Family Welfare Service, which also ran the St Mary’s Children’s Village. It was named after Bishop Matthews of the Anglican Church. Located in Nichols Street, Alice Springs, Matthews Cottage was one of three town based cottages. The others were Leslie Cottage and Heath Cottage. The three cottages at St Mary’s Children’s Village and the three town cottages were together often referred to as St Mary’s. Each town cottage provided family style accommodation for betw

Heath Cottage, St Mary’s opened in Alice Springs in 1971 as one of three town based family group homes. The others were Leslie Cottage and Matthews Cottage. Run by St Mary’s Child and Family Welfare Service who also ran St Mary’s Children’s Village, Heath Cottage provided cottage style accommodation for up to ten children under the supervision of cottage parents. Heath Cottage operated into the 1980s. Heath Cottage, St Mary’s was opened in 1971 by the St Mary’s Child and Family Welfare Service, which also ran the St Mary’s Children’s Village. It was named after Sister Eileen Heath, the Anglican Deaconess and first matron of St Mary’s Hostel. Located in Bloomfield Street, Alice Springs, Heath Cottage was one of three purpose-built town based cottages. The others were Leslie Cottage and Matthews Cottage. The three cottages at St Mary’s Children’s Village and the three town cottages were together often referred to as St Mary’s. Each town cottage provided family style accommodatio

Leslie Cottage, St Mary’s opened in Alice Springs in 1973 as one of three town based family group homes. The others were Heath Cottage and Matthews Cottage. Run by St Mary’s Child and Family Welfare Service who also ran St Mary’s Children’s Village, Leslie Cottage provided cottage accommodation for between 8 and 10 children under the supervision of cottage parents. In 1982 Leslie Cottage provided residential accommodation for children with disabilities. Records suggest that Leslie Cottage closed in the 1980s. Leslie Cottage, St Mary’s was opened in 1973 by the Anglican organisation, St Mary’s Child and Family Welfare Service, which also ran the St Mary’s Children’s Village. It was named after Anglican Bishop Ken Leslie, who had been the Anglican Parish priest in Alice Springs after World War II. Located in Standley Crescent, Alice Springs, Leslie Cottage was one of three town based cottages. The others were Heath Cottage and Matthews Cottage. The three cottages at the St Mary’s C

St Mary’s Children’s Village was the new name for St Mary’s Hostel in Alice Springs from 1972 when it came under the management of the Anglican organisation, St Mary’s Child and Family Welfare Service. The Village included three cottages – Pink Cottage, Grey Cottage and Blue Cottage. Each cottage accommodated up to six Aboriginal children supervised by cottage parent. The Village operated into the 1980s. The St Mary’s Children’s Village was the new name for St Mary’s Hostel in Alice Springs from 1972 when St Mary’s came under the management of a new body, St Mary’s Child and Family Welfare Service. As early as 1957, discussions began about the phasing out of the dormitory system at the Hostel and replacing it with cottage style care. It was not until ten years later that alterations to the institution began in earnest after a different vision for the institution was mapped out by a new superintendent, The Reverend P.D. Alexander-Smith. Church reports from 1968 and 1969 reveal

Umbakumba Mission was the new name given to the Umbakumba Settlement on Groote Eylandt when it was taken over by the Church Missionary Society in 1958. Many residents of the Settlement were temporarily moved to the Groote Eylandt Mission at Angurugu during the changeover. Dormitories for Aboriginal girls and boys were run at the Mission into the late 1950s. In 1966 control of Umbakumba township was passed to the government and it ceased to operate as a Mission. On 17 February 1958 the Church Missionary Society took over administrative control of the Umbakumba Settlement and it was renamed Umbakumba Mission. Keith Hart became the new Superintendent and remained in charge for the entire operation of the Mission. During the change over from Fred Gray, who previously ran the Settlement, to the CMS many of the residents of Umbakumba were temporarily moved to the Groote Eylandt Mission at Angurugu. When the CMS reopened the Settlement as the Umbakumba Mission the former residents returned

The Darwin Correctional Centre at Berrimah in Darwin opened in 1979 to replace the Fannie Bay Gaol. It housed minimum and maximum security prisoners, sentenced and on remand. It had separate sections for young people and women. The number of young people accommodated decreased during the 1980s to 1990s. In 2013 Berrimah was scheduled to be closed the following year to be replaced by the new Darwin Correctional Centre at Howard Springs. The Darwin Correctional Centre opened at Tivendale Road, Berrimah on 21 May 1979. Located 17 km from the centre of Darwin, it replaced the Fanny Bay Gaol as a correctional institution for minimum and maximum security prisoners, including those sentenced and on remand. It had separate sections for women and young people. When the Centre opened it had 110 beds. By 2011 it had expanded to accommodate over 600 prisoners. However the gaol was often described as being overcrowded. Information about young people placed at Berrimah is limited. Governmen

The Plymouth Brethren Mission was established in Darwin in 1910 by missionary Alexander Barry. It aimed to provide care and spiritual training for Aboriginal children. In 1911 the mission applied for a lease of government land to further its work. This request was rejected and the mission closed in 1912. The Plymouth Brethren Mission was opened in Darwin in 1910 by missionary Alexander Barry. It aimed to provide care and spiritual training for Aboriginal children. In November 1911, Barry wrote to the Administrator to apply for a lease on an area of government land. He explained that the mission was ‘devoting its attention’ to the children and ‘in order to recruit and keep’ them, it needed to establish a permanent base. Barry’s intention was to develop an ‘industrial mission’ in or near Darwin where each child could be ‘uplifted’ to become ‘a useful members of the community’ . The Chief Protector, Professor Baldwin Spencer was sent to inspect the work of the mission. He reported b

Her Majesty’s Gaol and Labour Prison, Alice Springs, opened in November 1938. Male and female prisoners were held in separate cell blocks. Until 1964 male prisoners were segregated by race. Records show that some young offenders were also detained. In 1996 all prisoners were transferred to the Alice Springs Correctional Centre at Owen Springs. Builders began work on Her Majesty’s Gaol and Labour Prison, Alice Springs in 1936, just before the outbreak of World War II. The gaol, which replaced the Stuart Town Gaol as the regional prison for the whole of central Australia, was opened in November 1938. The gaol was the Northern Territory’s only correctional facility following the bombing of Darwin in 1942 until the end of World War II, and for a short time in 1974 when Darwin’s Fannie Bay Gaol was damaged by Cyclone Tracy. From at least 1949 onwards European prisoners with sentences of more than three months were regularly transferred from Fannie Bay Gaol in Darwin to Alice Springs.

The Don Dale Juvenile Detention Centre which opened in 1991 was the first purpose built institution for young offenders in the Northern Territory. It provided secure accommodation for up to 25 boys and girls, aged between 10 and 16 or 17. The Centre replaced Giles House and Malak House, and took in young offenders from all over the Northern Territory. In July 2016, the Prime Minister announced a Royal Commission to inquire into the mistreatment of children and young people in juvenile detention at Don Dale and other facilities in the Northern Territory. The Don Dale Juvenile Detention Centre was the Northern Territory’s first purpose designed and built institution for young offenders. It replaced Giles House and Malak House which had operated as detention centres since 1978 and 1987 respectively. Constructed next door to Berrimah Gaol in Darwin, the Don Dale Centre provided medium to high level secure care for children and young people between the ages of 10 and 16 years. Males and

The Chapman Road Remand Home at Rapid Creek operated as a temporary facility for children on remand from 1976-77. A cottage, formerly part of Somerville Cottage Homes, was leased to the government for the purpose. The Remand Home, which took in mostly girls, closed in 1979. It was replaced by the Malak House Remand and Assessment Centre. The Chapman Road Remand Home was a temporary government facility used for the accommodation of children on remand after the closure of Essington House. In July and August 1976 the Northern Territory government’s Welfare Section approached the Methodist Overseas Mission with the proposal to lease one of their unoccupied cottage homes for use as accommodation for ‘juvenile offenders’, particularly girls. Delays in reconstruction and building programs after Cyclone Tracy meant that the government had limited facilities for children in need of care. A home in Chapman Street, Rapid Creek, previously used by the Somerville Cottage Homes, was leased to

Mud Island Lazaret was established by the NT Government on Mud Island, off Port Darwin in 1889 to quarantine people suffering from leprosy. Between 1920 and 1927 an average of 10 to 12 people, mainly Aboriginal and Chinese, were resident on the island. It is unclear whether this number included any children. However, in 1927 a NT Mission Station refused to send an 11 year old girl with leprosy to the lazaret. Mud Island Lazaret closed in 1931 when the new Channel Island Leprosarium was opened. Mud Island was proclaimed as a place of quarantine for people suffering from the disease of leprosy by the Government Resident of the Northern Territory in 1889. The first instances of leprosy, also called Hanson’s Disease, in Northern Australia were found amongst the Chinese population. Chinese people suffering from leprosy were isolated on Mud Island, Goat Island in the Adelaide River, or at the quarantine ground on Channel Island, until they could be sent back to China. Some remained in iso

Malak House was the new name for Malak House Remand and Assessment Centre from 1987. Located in Malak, a suburb of Darwin, it operated as a detention centre for young people who had committed offences. Malak House closed in 1991 and was replaced by the Don Dale Detention Centre. Malak House Juvenile Detention Centre, located on the corner of Malak Crescent and Patterson Street, came into being when Malak House changed its purpose from a Remand and Assessment Centre to a detention centre in 1987. In the late 1980s after a number of abscondings from Malak House, ‘the grim reality’ of conditions in the institution was reported in the media. A former youth worker talked of the harsh treatment of children in the Home and residents shared stories of long periods of solitary confinement. Both Malak House in Darwin and Giles House in Alice Springs closed in 1991. All young offenders were sent to the newly opened Don Dale Detention Centre in Darwin.

Malak House Remand and Assessment Centre opened at Malak, a suburb of Darwin, in 1979. It operated as a remand and assessment home for young offenders between the ages of 10 and 17 years. In 1987 the name of the Centre changed to Malak House Juvenile Detention Centre. Malak House Remand and Assessment Centre was officially opened on the corner of Malak Crescent and Patterson Street, Malak, in November 1979. It operated a remand and assessment home for young offenders, taking in children from the age of 10 to 17 years who had committed offences. Prior to 1979 young offenders had been placed at a government remand home at Chapman Road, Rapid Creek. Malak House was designed as a minimum security centre that provided short-term detention and psychological assessment for these children. It was run by a live-in couple who were supported by youth workers and general domestic staff, as well as a psychologist who was based at the centre. Communication with a former resident who contacted

The Tennant Creek Family Home was opened by the government at Tennant Creek in 1973. It provided short and long term accommodation for a small number of children, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal. Children lived in a family-style setting under the supervision of cottage parents. The exact closing date for the Tennant Creek Family Home is unknown. The Tennant Creek Family Home opened in Staunton Street, Tennant Creek in 1973. It was one of a number of Family Homes which opened in regional areas of the Northern Territory in the period 1973-1974. The Welfare Division made initial plans for opening a Family Home in Tennant Creek during the early 1970s. When the Home opened, it was initially run by the Commonwealth Department of Aboriginal Affairs which had taken over control of child welfare in the Northern Territory in 1972. From 1974 the Tennant Creek Family Home was run by the Community Welfare Section of the Northern Territory Administration. The Tennant Creek Family Home wa

Ryan House was opened by the government in Katherine in 1974. It operated as a Family Home and provided short and long term accommodation for a small number of children, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal. Children lived in a family-style setting under the supervision of cottage parents. The exact closing date for Ryan House is unknown. Ryan House was one of two Family Homes which opened in Katherine in the period 1973-1974. The other Home was the Cameron Crescent Family Home. Ryan House was located on Lockheed Street and was a purpose-built cement brick residence. It provided mainly long term accommodation for a small group of children in a family-style setting. When the initial Family Home in Katherine was proposed in 1968, the Welfare Branch stated that over the past year there had been five State children and eight other children in urgent need of accommodation, all of whom could have been placed in a Family Home. Ryan House was managed by a Cottage Mother and her husband.

The Cameron Crescent Family Home was opened by the government in Katherine in 1973. It provided short and long term accommodation for a small number of children, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal. Children lived in a family-style setting under the supervision of cottage parents. The exact closing date for the Cameron Crescent Family Home is unknown. In 1968, when the idea of opening a Family Home in Katherine was first proposed, the Welfare Branch of the Northern Territory Administration stated that over the past year there had been five State children and eight other children in urgent need of accommodation, all of whom could have been placed in a Family Home. Plans were made by the successor of the Welfare Branch, the Welfare Division, for opening a Family Home in Katherine during the early 1970s. The Cameron Crescent Family Home was one of two Family Homes which opened in Katherine in the period 1973-1974. The other Home was known as Ryan House. When the Cameron Crescent Fami

House 76 at Bachelor was opened by the government in 1972. It provided long term accommodation for up to nine children in a family-style setting (this model was known as a Family Home). Aboriginal and non Aboriginal children were admitted to the Home and were supervised by cottage parents. The exact closing date for House 76 is unknown. House 76 at Batchelor was one of two Family Homes opened in Batchelor in 1972. The other was called House 67. Both were named for their street addresses. House 76 was located on Mandago Street. The Welfare Division made initial plans for opening Family Homes in Batchelor during the early 1970s. When House 76 was opened, it was initially run by the Welfare Division of the Northern Territory Administration. From the end of 1972 until 1974 the Commonwealth Department of Aboriginal Affairs took over control of child welfare in the Northern Territory and was therefore responsible for all government Homes for children. From 1974 the House 76 came under

House 67 at Bachelor was opened by the government in 1972. It provided long term accommodation for up to nine children in a family-style setting. Aboriginal and non Aboriginal children were admitted to the Home and were supervised by cottage parents. The exact closing date for House 67 is unknown. House 67 at Batchelor was one of two Family Homes opened in Batchelor in 1972. The other was called House 76. Both were named for their street addresses. House 67 was located on Pinnaroo Crescent. The Welfare Division made initial plans for opening Family Homes in Batchelor during the early 1970s. When House 67 was opened, it was initially run by the Welfare Division of the Northern Territory Administration. From the end of 1972 until 1974 the Commonwealth Department of Aboriginal Affairs took over control of child welfare in the Northern Territory and was therefore responsible for all government Homes for children. From 1974 the House 67 came under the control of the Community Welfare

The Forrest Crescent Family Home was opened by the government in Alice Springs in 1972. It provided accommodation for up to nine Aboriginal and non Aboriginal children, from babies to teenagers under the supervision of cottage parents. In 2017, Forrest House is managed by Anglicare NT as a 4 bed placement for children and young people aged from 12 to 18 in the care of the Minister. Forrest Crescent Family Home was opened by the government in 1972. It was one of two Family Homes opened in Alice Springs that year. The other Home was known as the Parke Crescent Family Home. Both were named for their street addresses. The building of Family Homes in Alice Springs was first proposed by the Welfare Branch of the Northern Territory Administration in 1967 because of crowded conditions in the Alice Springs Receiving Home and concerns that this situation made it ‘impossible to segregate difficult cases from the short and long term residents’. The new Homes would ‘cater for long term reside

The Parke Crescent Family Home was opened by the government in Alice Springs in 1972. It provided accommodation for up to nine Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children from babies to teenagers under the supervision of cottage parents. The exact closing date for the Parke Crescent Family Home is unknown. Parke Crescent Family Home was one of two Family Homes opened by the government in Alice Springs in 1972. The other was known as the Forrest Crescent Family Home. Both were named for their street addresses. The building of Family Homes in Alice Springs was first proposed by the Welfare Branch of the Northern Territory Administration in 1967 as a result of crowded conditions in the Alice Springs Receiving Home. The Branch worried that overcrowding was making it ‘impossible to segregate difficult cases from the short and long term residents’. It aimed to develop new Homes to ‘cater for long term residents, irrespective of age, under normal home conditions’. When the Parke Crescent

Harney Family Home was opened by the government in Rapid Creek in 1968. It provided long term accommodation for up to nine Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children from babies to teenagers under the supervision of cottage parents. The Harney Family Home closed in 1985. Harney Family Home was opened in Sabine Road, Rapid Creek in 1968. It was one of three Family Homes established in the Darwin area that year. The other Homes were Hamilton Family Home and Chinnery Family Home. Harney Family Home, named after a former officer of the Welfare Branch, was a purpose-built five bedroom residence. It was established by the Welfare Branch of the Northern Territory Administration to provide long term accommodation for up to nine children, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal. The Home was managed by a Cottage Mother and her husband. They received rent-free accommodation and were paid a subsidy for each child under their care as well as a supervisory allowance. The Home took in children from ba

Hamilton Family Home was opened by the government in Rapid Creek in 1968. It provided long term accommodation for up to nine Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children from babies to teenagers under the supervision of cottage parents. The exact closing date for the Hamilton Family Home is unknown. Hamilton Family Home was opened in Robinson Road, Rapid Creek in 1968. It was one of three Family Homes established by the Welfare Branch of the Northern Territory Administration in the Darwin area that year. The other Homes were Harney Family Home and Chinnery Family Home. The Home, a purpose-built five bedroom residence, was named after Mr W Hamilton who was an early Field Assistant Director for the Welfare Branch. It was established to provide long term accommodation for up to nine children, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal under the supervision of a Cottage Mother and her husband. They received rent-free accommodation and were paid a subsidy for each child under their care as well as

Chinnery Family Home was opened by the government in Stuart Park in 1968. It provided long term accommodation for up to nine Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children from babies to teenagers under the supervision of cottage parents. The exact closing date for the Chinnery Family Home is unknown. Chinnery Family Home was opened in Henry Street, Stuart Park in 1968. It was one of three Family Homes opened by the Welfare Branch of the Northern Territory in the suburbs of Darwin that year. The other two Homes were the Harney Family Home and the Hamilton Family Home. Chinnery Family Home, named after a former Director of Native Affairs, Mr EP Chinnery, was located in Stuart Park on land handed over to the Government by the Methodist Overseas Mission. A purpose built five bedroom family residence was constructed on the site. The Chinnery Family Home provided accommodation for up to nine Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children, from babies to teenagers. Children remained in the Home for

St John’s Hostel opened in Alice Springs in 1941 It provided accommodation for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children from remote areas who were attending school. In 1945 six Aboriginal boys from St John’s were transferred to the Church of England Hostel for Inland Children at Kensington Park in South Australia. St John’s Hostel also took in children under the care of the Welfare Branch. St John’s closed in the 1970s. St John’s Hostel was established in 1941 by the Reverend Percy McD Smith, the first Anglican Priest-in-Charge at Alice Springs. Concerned at poor conditions and the lack of educational opportunities for Aboriginal children living at The Bungalow, which was also known as the ‘Half-caste institution’, the Reverend Smith began this new hostel in Bath Street in Alice Springs. St John’s aimed to provide a home for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children from remote areas whose parents wished them to come to town to further their schooling. Initially a small number of

Giles House Juvenile Detention and Training Centre was opened by the government in Alice Springs in 1978. It operated as a secure detention and training facility for young people who had committed offences. It provided accommodation for up to 27 young people, many of whom were Aboriginal. Giles House closed in 1991 when the Don Dale Juvenile Detention Centre in Darwin was opened. Young people on remand and sentenced were then sent to Darwin. Giles House reopened under new management as Aranda House in 1993-1994. Giles House was opened by the Department of Community and Social Development of the Northern Territory Government at Kempe Street in Alice Springs in 1978. It was the first juvenile detention centre in the Northern Territory. In planning documents it was originally referred to as the Assessment, Training and Security Facility in Alice Springs. The purpose of the facility was described in a 1977 departmental planning document as follows: This facility will cater

Tambling House Family Home was opened by the government in Darwin in 1976. It replaced Tambling House which closed in 1975. Tambling House Family Home provided accommodation for a smaller number of children in a family style setting under the supervision of a cottage parents. The Home took in both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children. Tambling House Family Home closed in 1978 and the building became the Darwin Youth Refuge. Tambling House Family Home was opened in Darwin by the Community Welfare Section of the Northern Territory Administration in 1976. It replaced the original Tambling House which had closed in 1975. While Tambling House had provided dormitory style residential care, the newTambling House Family Home accommodated a smaller number of children in a family style setting. Both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal were placed in the Home and in some cases family groups were kept together. Children in the Home were under the supervision of cottage parents who received rent-

The Lutheran Mission Block was established in Alice Springs in 1938 by the Lutheran Church. In the 1950s Aboriginal children were cared for by an Aboriginal woman in a residential house on the block. In 1963 two cottages were opened. Each accommodated up to 12 children under the supervision of house mothers. Children attending school in Alice Springs and children under the care of the Welfare Branch lived in the cottages. The cottages closed in 1982. The Lutheran Mission Block was obtained in June 1938 by Pastor Albrecht from the Hermannsburg Mission. This block of six acres of land was located at 49 Gap Road in Alice Springs and became known locally as Mission Block. A small church was built on the site in December 1938. During the 1940s Pastor Albrecht visited fortnightly to provide church services and spiritual teaching. Trained Aboriginal lay ministers continued the work in between his visits. In 1942 the Acting Director of Native Affairs, Mr V J White noted that 50 adults and 1

Tambling House opened in 1970 as a government residential home for children at Myilly Point in Darwin. It accommodated both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children who were under the care of government. Tambling House closed in 1975 and was re-opened in 1977 as Tambling House Family Home. Tambling House was opened the Welfare Branch of the Northern Territory Administration in 1970. It was located on Kahlin Crescent, Myilly Point and operated as a government residential home for children. It accommodated both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children who were under the care of Welfare Branch. Tambling House closed in 1975 and was re-opened in 1977 as Tambling House Family Home.

Clarke Crescent Cottage opened in Rapid Creek in 1971. Run by Somerville Homes Incorporated it was one of six cottages which made up Somerville Cottage Homes. It accommodated up to eight children aged between 4 and 16 years under the supervision of cottage parents. The Cottage closed in 1981. Clarke Crescent Cottage opened in 1971 in the Darwin suburb of Rapid Creek. It was one of six family group homes known as Somerville Cottage Homes. The Homes were run by Somerville Homes Incorporated, an association established by the United Church in Northern Australian and the Methodist Overseas Mission. Clarke Crescent Cottage provided care for up to eight children, both Aboriginal and non Aboriginal, aged between 4 and 16 years under the supervision of cottage parents. The other Somerville Cottage Homes were located in Chapman Road, Trower Road and Fox Crescent in Rapid Creek and Henry Street and Luxton Street in Stuart Park. In an early pamphlet, Clarke Crescent cottage was also refe

Luxton Street Cottage opened in Stuart Park in 1971. Run by Somerville Homes Incorporated it was one of six cottages which made up Somerville Cottage Homes. It accommodated up to eight children aged between 4 and 16 years under the supervision of cottage parents. The Cottage Home closed in 1981. Luxton Street Cottage opened in 1971 in the Darwin suburb of Rapid Creek. It was one of the first of six family group homes known as Somerville Cottage Homes. The Homes were run by Somerville Homes Incorporated, an association established by the United Church in Northern Australian and the Methodist Overseas Mission. The other Somerville Cottage Homes were located in Chapman Road, Trower Road Clarke Crescent and Fox Crescent in Rapid Creek and Henry Street in Stuart Park. Luxton Street Cottage provided care for up to eight children, both Aboriginal and non Aboriginal, aged between 4 and 16 years under the supervision of cottage parents. A statistical summary dated 30 June 1971 shows that

Henry Street Cottage opened in Stuart Park in 1969. Run by Somerville Homes Incorporated it was one of six cottages which made up Somerville Cottage Homes. It accommodated up to eight children aged between 4 and 16 years under the supervision of cottage parents. The Cottage closed in 1981. Henry Street Cottage opened in 1969 in the Darwin suburb of Rapid Creek. It was one of six family group homes known as Somerville Cottage Homes. The Homes were run by Somerville Homes Incorporated, an association established by the United Church in Northern Australian and the Methodist Overseas Mission. Henry Street Cottage provided care for up to eight children, both Aboriginal and non Aboriginal, aged between 4 and 16 years under the supervision of cottage parents. The other Somerville Cottage Homes were located in Chapman Road, Clarke Crescent, Trower Road and Fox Crescent in Rapid Creek and Luxton Street in Stuart Park. In an early pamphlet, Henry Street cottage was also referred to as M

Chapman Road Cottage opened in Rapid Creek in 1969. Run by Somerville Homes Incorporated it was one of six cottages which made up Somerville Cottage Homes. It accommodated up to eight children aged between 4 and 16 years under the supervision of cottage parents. The first group of children in the cottage came from Croker Island. The Cottage closed in 1976 and was leased to the government. It became the Chapman Road Remand Home, an institution for young male offenders. Chapman Road Cottage was the first of six family group homes which formed Somerville Cottage Homes in Darwin. It opened in Rapid Creek, a suburb of Darwin in 1969. Run by Somerville Homes Incorporated, an association established by the United Church in Northern Australian and the Methodist Overseas Mission, the Chapman Road Cottage first took in Aboriginal children moved from Croker Island to the mainland. The other Somerville Cottage Homes were located in Clarke Crescent, Trower Road and Fox Crescent in Rapid Creek

Trower Road Cottage opened in Rapid Creek in 1969. Run by Somerville Homes Incorporated it was one of six cottages which made up Somerville Cottage Homes. It accommodated up to eight children aged between 4 and 16 years under the supervision of cottage parents. Children from Croker Island were the first residents of the cottage. Trower Road Cottage closed in 1976. Trower Road Cottage opened in 1969 in the Darwin suburb of Rapid Creek. It was one of six family group homes known as Somerville Cottage Homes. The Homes were run by Somerville Homes Incorporated, an association established by the United Church in Northern Australian and the Methodist Overseas Mission. The other Somerville Cottage Homes were located in Chapman Road, Clarke Crescent and Fox Crescent in Rapid Creek and Henry Street and Luxton Street in Stuart Park. Trower Road Cottage provided care for up to eight children, both Aboriginal and non Aboriginal, aged between 4 and 16 years under the supervision of cottage pa

The Mount Blatherskite Hostel was established in 1946 by the Australian Board of Missions at Mount Blatherskite near Alice Springs. It provided accommodation and training for Aboriginal children who were studying or doing apprenticeships in Alice Springs. Parents paid board for their children placed in the Hostel. The Mount Blatherskite Hostel was renamed the St Mary’s Hostel in 1947. The Mount Blatherskite Hostel was established in 1946 when the Australian Board of Missions (ABM) purchased the former Lady Gowrie Rest Home at Mount Blatherskite, six and a half kilometres from Alice Springs. A large building of 12 rooms on a 325 hectare site, it had been built as a leave house and recreation club for service women. In 1946, sixteen children were reported to be resident in the hostel. Sister Eileen Heath was the superintendent of the Hostel. A December 1946 letter from the secretary of the ABM described the ‘Objects of the Home’: 1. To provide a home for half-caste childr

Griffiths House opened in 1945 as a hostel for children from remote areas of Central and Northern Australia who were attending school in Alice Springs. It was run by the Methodist Inland Mission and provided accommodation for between 30 and 40 children. Griffiths House closed in 1965 when St Philips College opened. Griffiths House opened in 1945 and provided hostel accommodation for children from remote areas of Central and Northern Australia. Most children stayed at the Home while attending school in Alice Springs. The Home was named after Reverend Harry Griffiths and his wife who worked with the Methodist Inland Mission. In 1948 the Home provided accommodation for 38 children. Griffiths House had in fact first opened as a hostel for young men and women working for the Government or other businesses in Alice Springs. In 1941 it was temporarily used as a soldiers’ club. After the War, the Methodist Inland Mission made the decision to take-over and re-open the Home as a children’s

Bradshaw House was the new name given to the Receiving Home, Alice Springs in 1966. It was run by the government as a short term care facility for children placed in the care of the Director of Welfare. Many children, however, remained in the institution for long periods. The average number of children resident in the Home at one time was 12, but at times the number climbed as high as 17. The run-down nature of the building and its inadequate facilities led to the closure of Bradshaw House in 1976. Bradshaw House began in 1966 after the Receiving Home, Alice Springs, which had operated in Warburton Street since 1959, was renamed. A series of letters on a departmental file about the Home show that in 1964 the government was seeking suggestions for a new name. The name Bradshaw House was chosen in October 1966 in memory of Thomas Bradshaw who had managed the Old Alice Springs Telegraph Station from 1899 to 1908. The Telegraph Station building had been used from 1932 to 1942 as the sit

Essington House was opened by the government in 1963 as a Receiving Home for adolescent boys due to appear before the Children’s Court, and boys awaiting placement in other institutions or in foster care. From 1964 Essington House was also used for sittings of the Children’s Court and later became a Remand, Assessment and Training Centre for boys and girls. Essington House was closed in December 1974 after being badly damaged by Cyclone Tracy. Essington House was opened in 1963 as a Receiving Home for adolescent boys. During its first year it provided accommodation for five boys. As a Receiving Home it took in boys who were regarded as neglected or destitute, or who had committed an offence before they appeared in the Children’s Court. Many stayed at Essington House while they awaited placement in another institution or in foster care. During the mid to late sixties between 80 and 150 boys were placed in the Home each year. In 1969 Essington House became a Remand, Assessment and

The Phillip Creek Native Settlement was established by the government in 1945 as a temporary settlement for Aboriginal people. It was initially staffed by missionaries from the Aborigines Inland Mission. The settlement operated three dormitories for Aboriginal children. In 1947 children who were then considered to be of mixed-race were removed to the Retta Dixon Home in Darwin. The Settlement ceased to operate in June 1956 and the residents were moved to Warrabri. The Phillip Creek Native Settlement was established by the Native Affairs Branch in August 1945 as a temporary settlement for Aboriginal people the government wanted removed from the Six Mile Ration Depot near Tennant Creek. Situated 43km north of Tennant Creek, in an area also known as Manga Manda, the Phillip Creek Native Settlement was initially staffed by missionaries from the Aborigines Inland Mission. The 1946 NT Administration Report records the numbers of Aboriginal people at Phillip Creek at that time:

Hooker Creek Native Settlement, 550 kilometres south west of Katherine, was established by the government in 1948. A large number of Aboriginal people from Yuendumu Native Settlement were moved there. A school opened in 1954 but no dormitories were used. Missionaries from the Australian Baptist Home Mission resided there from 1962. The settlement was handed over to the local community in 1978 and became known as Lajamanu. Hooker Creek Native Settlement was established by the government in 1948, 550 kilometres south west of Katherine. The site was selected for the resettlement of a significant number of Warlpiri people from the Yuendumu Native Settlement due to overcrowding and conflict. The Warlpiri were transported to the new settlement by truck. On two occasions the group walked the 600 kilometres back to Yuendumu, but were trucked back again to Hooker Creek. By 1953 the settlement comprised 160 people, including 46 children. A 1954 article in the West Australian newspaper,

The Yuendumu Native Settlement was established at Mount Doreen, 350 kilometres north west of Alice Springs, in 1946 as a government ration depot. That same year missionaries from the Australian Baptist Home Mission began welfare work at the settlement. Although two dormitories were constructed in 1947-48, it is unclear for how long they were used. A school was established. Control of the settlement was handed to the Warlpiri Aboriginal people in 1978. The residents of Yuendumu were primarily Warlpiri people. In December, 1946, the Native Affairs branch granted permission for two members of the Baptist Union of Australia, Reverend Laurie Reece and Reverend Phillip Steer , to begin welfare work at the Settlement. The first mission buildings and an aerodrome were constructed in 1946. A bore was struck and gardens were started. The missionaries started at the settlement on 13 February 1947. During the 1947-1948 financial year, the government provided the mission with 3000 pounds towa

The East Arm Leprosarium opened in 1955 and replaced the Channel Island Leprosarium. Situated several kilometres south east of Darwin, it was run by the Northern Territory Administration and was staffed by nursing Sisters from the Catholic order, the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. Patients isolated at the Leprosarium included children as young as four years of age. Improvements in treatment and changing attitudes towards the disease led to the closing of East Arm Leprosarium in 1982, after which patients were treated in regular hospitals. Plans for the building of a mainland based leprosarium to replace the unsuitable site on Channel Island were under consideration from as early as the 1930s. The possibility of building a new leprosarium on Melville Island was investigated and rejected in September 1950. In May 1951 the Deputy Director of Health, Dr S. Watford, officially announced the proposal for a new ‘model institution’ costing £100,000 to be located at East Arm on