• Organisation

Last Updated: November 13th, 2025

Western Australia

1983 - 1990s

Doubleview Group Home

Doubleview Group Home (also known as the Innaloo or Metropolitan Group Home) was established in 1983. It was government-run and provided emergency, short and medium term accommodation for school-age children including state wards. Doubleview Group Home closed during the early 1990s. Doubleview was developed to provide accommodation that was closer to a family home environment while re-establishing the residents’ relationships with their family, or finding alternative long term accommodation for them. The Home was filled to capacity during its first year of operation. In 1984 there were four children living at Doubleview at the end of the year and by 1990, the group home was able to accommodate up to seven young people aged 12-15 years. In 2018, a married couple who worked at Doubleview Group Home and Darlington Hostel were charged with historical child sexual assault offences, dating back to the 1990s. The pair died by suicide before they faced trial (Pilat, 2018 & 2019).

  • Organisation

Last Updated: November 13th, 2025

Western Australia

1964 - 2001

Dellahale House

Dellahale House was established in 1964 to replace the Protestant Children’s Home in Geraldton. It provided residential accommodation for girls attending high school in Geraldton. Dellahale House was managed by Geraldton Protestant Children’s Homes Inc on behalf of the Country High School Hostels Authority. In 1981, the manager of John Frewer House was appointed to manage both Dellahale and John Frewer House. John Frewer House (boys) and Dellahale House (girls) were separated by the grounds of Geraldton Senior High School. The girls’ college closed as a residential facility in 2001, reopening in 2002 as the coeducational Geraldton Residential College on the Dellahale site. It was common for the Country High School Hostels Authority hostels to have an annual ‘jamboree’ and this was held at Geraldton in 1988. At a public hearing during the Special Inquiry into St Andrew’s Hostel, Katanning, the Manager testified regarding a staff member grooming girls at the home in 1993-9

  • Organisation

Last Updated: November 13th, 2025

Western Australia

1914 - 1979

Greenplace

Greenplace was a government-run facility, established in Mosman Park in 1914 as an annexe of the Claremont Hospital for the Insane. It admitted female psychiatric patients, and possibly also adolescents with intellectual disabilities. Greenplace was described in the ‘Report and Appendices of the Royal Commission in Lunacy’ in 1922 as being in a private house that had once been used as a hospital for women considered to have issues with alcohol. When Greenplace was visited by the Royal Commission, there were 15 ‘quiet and convalescent’ female patients who did ‘a great deal of the housework and mending of clothes’. The house and its location overlooking the Swan River were said to be ‘charming,’ however it was difficult for patients to access. The house itself was in need of repair, but still described as ‘comfortable’. The Commissioners thought Greenplace should and cou

  • Organisation

Last Updated: November 13th, 2025

New South Wales

1942 - 1966

Charlton Memorial Home

Charlton Memorial Home, also known as Charlton Boys’ Home, was established in Glebe by the Anglican Home Mission Society in 1942. It was a Church of England home that primarily accommodated boys who had appeared in Children’s Courts, but also took a small number of girls. It was located in a building called ‘Avona’, which had previously been the Church of England Home for Girls. It held up to 60 young people, ranging in age from seven to 20. Charlton could in some ways be described as progressive for an institution of its time, however former residents have also described major issues at the home with harsh punishments and sexual abuse perpetrated by staff and other residents. In 1966 Charlton Memorial Home moved to Ashfield. Charlton was unusual for a Home for older children in that it

  • Organisation

Last Updated: November 11th, 2025

Western Australia

1952 - 1989

Earlsferry

Earlsferry was established for ten girls, aged 11 to 18, from the Claremont Mental Hospital who had cognitive disabilities. Earlsferry, with Fairholme, made up the Nathaniel Harper Homes, which were owned and run by the government of Western Australia, and located on opposite sides of the Swan River. In 1988, ownership passed to the Authority for Intellectually Handicapped Persons. In April 1989, when Earlsferry was damaged by a fire due to ‘misadventure’, residents were relocated and the property sold.  Earlsferry  was opened by the Minister for Health, Dame Florence Cardell Oliver, on 27 September 1952. Nathaniel Ha

  • Organisation

Last Updated: November 11th, 2025

Western Australia

1952 - 1984

Fairholme

Fairholme was established in 1952 as a home for 32 children aged from 3 years up, with cognitive disabilities, who were transferred from the Claremont Mental Hospital. Fairholme, with Earlsferry, made up the Nathaniel Harper Homes which were owned and run by the government of Western Australia, and located on opposite sides of the Swan River. Residents were gradually relocated into modern premises from 1982. All children had been relocated by 1984. The Fairholme property is no longer used for out of home care. Fairholme was opened by the Minister for Health, Dame Florence Cardell Oliver, on 27 September 1952. Nathaniel Harper, who had a son with Down’s Syndrome, donated money to the Mental Hospitals Department in order to improve service provision to children with cognitive disabilities., marking the beg

  • Organisation

Last Updated: November 7th, 2025

Western Australia

1883 - 1888?

Home for Girls

A Home for Girls was run by the Orphanage Committee of the Anglican Diocese of Perth from 1883. Funds were raised and a small cottage was built near the Swan Boys’ Home. The Home was for girls of all ages. By 1888, only four girls had ever been admitted to the Home and it is quite likely that it closed sometime soon after that year. In 1882, the Manager of the Swan Orphanage advertised for a ‘Man and Wife’ to take charge of a Home for Young Girls ‘in the neighbourhood of the Swan’. The purpose of this Home, was to care for ‘a small number of young girls, whose friendlessness and exposed condition renders them objects of compassion and sympathy,’ which described children and young people who had been convicted of offences such as stealing, disqualified them from admission to the Perth Girls’ Orphanage. The Home was established after the Colonial Secretary tried to send a seven year-old child to the Perth

  • Organisation

Last Updated: November 7th, 2025

Western Australia

1971 - 1994?

Hamilton Hill Hostel

Hamilton Hill Hostel was established around 1971 as a government-run hostel for Aboriginal high school students. For an unknown period in the 1980s, it was run by a Uniting Church agency, most likely Sister Kate’s Child and Family Services. It was possibly transferred back to child welfare authorities by 1988, closing by 1994, possibly earlier. The history of the Hamilton Hill Hostel is unclear. Government reports (Signposts 2004, pp.230-232) show that a house at 22 Frederick Road was purchased by the Department of Native Welfare in 1971 for an Aboriginal Education and Employment Hostel but was not open when a survey of these hostels was published in 1971 (in that survey, the hostel was called ‘Frederick Street’). It is possible, though, that the Department of Native Welfare did operate the hostel for a short period before all hostels of this type were transferred to the Department for Community Welfare in 1972, which continued to run the hostel until at least 1979. Record

  • Organisation

Last Updated: November 7th, 2025

New South Wales

1968 - 2000

Cornwell Group Home

Cornwell Group Home was a family group home established at North Epping in 1968, and moved to Blacktown in 1979. It was run by Church of England Homes as a temporary family group home for children. It closed in June 2000. In 1984, in its newsletter Care, Church of England Homes described the purpose of its group homes: Cornwall [Cornwell], Buckland, Havilah and Marella are our Group Homes which provide longer term care. Perhaps the children aren’t getting normal care at home. Maybe they have missed out on it for a long time. These homes provide a kind of holding situation. But one which avoids damaging them still further by providing them with a good model of a positive family-type experience. Meanwhile, everything possible is being done through the counselling service to restore family relationships. Hopefully, after six months, usually sooner, the family can get back together or foster placement can be arranged. Two of our homes are for Aboriginal children. The

  • Organisation

Last Updated: November 7th, 2025

Western Australia

1980? - 1987?

Goldfields Group Home

Goldfields Group Home, (also known as Boulder Group Home) was established around 1980 as a government-run group home that accommodated Aboriginal children, aged 0-13 years, on a short-term or emergency basis. Most children admitted were under 5 years of age. The Goldfields Group Home closed around 1987 and was replaced by the Kalgoorlie Group Home. The Goldfields Group Home was established by the Department for Community Welfare (DCW) in a government-owned property that they took control of in October 1980. It is likely that the Home opened some time shortly afterwards. The property had previously (1977-1980) been used by the Kurrawang Mission as a cottage for children from the mission going to school in Boulder. Government reports (Signposts 2004, pp.223-225) show that child welfare authorities aimed to support families during times where their children could not be accommodated with extended family, but hoped to avoid taking the children into the ‘care’. In 1981 DCW expl

  • Organisation

Last Updated: November 7th, 2025

Western Australia

1851 - 1855

Gerald Mission

Gerald Mission was established in 1851 when the government granted the Wesleyan Reverend John Smithies land to relocate the Wanneroo Native School to more arable land in York. Aboriginal adults and children from Wanneroo relocated there. In 1854 the government took over the administration, and in 1855 Gerald Mission closed. The Wanneroo Native School had struggled with sickness and poor farming land, which prompted Governor Fitzgerald to grant more arable land in York. However, illness and deaths persisted there in 1851 and Aboriginal parents removed their children. Abscondings were common as many children ran away to rejoin their families in the Perth and Fremantle areas. In 1854, the government took over the administration of the mission but illnesses and poor economic outcomes resulted in its closure in 1855.

  • Organisation

Last Updated: November 7th, 2025

Western Australia

c. 1936 - 1986

Derby Leprosarium

The Derby Leprosarium had opened by December 1936, replacing an earlier ‘lazaret’ that had been attached to the Derby hospital. With approximately 1200 inmates over its 50 years, it was the largest institution for people with leprosy in Australia (Robson, 2016). Children lived at Derby Leprosarium and some babies were born there. It closed in 1986. According to the State Heritage Office, by 1909 the site of the Derby Native Hospital ‘included a “shed” that was in use as a lazaret (quarantine station for contagious diseases, particularly leprosy)’ (Heritage Council, 2017). This site also states that in 1925, Derby’s residents with leprosy were relocated to Cossack, in the Pilbara region of WA. In 1925 the Department of Native Affairs took over control of the site of the Hospital. The Derby Leprosarium was established in the aftermath of the Moseley Royal Commission in Relation to the Condition and Treatment of Aborigines, which reported in 1935. In an interim report from July 1934

  • Page

Last Updated: November 7th, 2025

The nuns thought we were criminals

  • Page

Last Updated: November 7th, 2025

Absconders Lists

  • Organisation

Last Updated: November 7th, 2025

Western Australia

1851 - 1909

Female Home [Poor House, Perth]

The Female Home, or Poor House, began in 1851, and was then named the ‘Servants’ Home’. From 1854, destitute or orphaned children under 10 years of age were admitted. It was first run by the Ladies’ Friendly Society, but by the mid-1850s was government-run. From 1902, children were instead admitted to the Government Industrial School and Receiving Depot. The Female Home (Women’s Home) in Perth closed in November 1909 and moved to Fremantle. The Female Home, or Poor House, began in 1851 as a Servants’ Home’, a temporary Home for female servants who had left one position and were searching for another, run by the Ladies’ Friendly Society. Mrs Fitzgerald, the wife of the Governor, stimulated interest in the venture. Later in 1851 the Governor, widening its function to include a reception home for ‘immigrant’ servants awaiting work in the colony, used public funds to pay for a matron and staff, and purchase a building on the corner of Pier and Goderich Streets. Children were admitted, b

  • Organisation

Last Updated: November 7th, 2025

Western Australia

1976 - 1987?

Fitzroy Crossing Group Homes

Fitzroy Crossing Group Homes, or Burawa, provided government-run accommodation for up to eight Aboriginal children with Aboriginal house parents in three Homes. By 1979 there was only one Home open and it was converted to a hostel in 1980. In around 1987 Burawa became part of the Junjuwa Community. Government reports (Signposts 2004, pp.205-207) show that the Fitzroy Crossing Group Homes were established together in 1976 to replace the dormitory-style hostel that had been operating in Fitzroy Crossing since the 1950s. The Fitzroy Crossing Group Homes were established and run by the Department for Community Welfare (DCW), but with onsite management and advice from what the Department called (p.205) a ‘representative Aboriginal committee’, supported by specialist departmental staff. There was a stated desire to involve Aboriginal parents and communities in their children’s placement. By 1979, the DCW was reporting (Signposts p.206) that the provision of education serv

  • Organisation

Last Updated: November 7th, 2025

Western Australia

1929 - 1934

Castledare Special School

Castledare Special School was established in 1929 in Wilson, Perth by the Christian Brothers. Its purpose was to provide a specialised institution for up to 30 boys (including non-Catholics) with cognitive disabilities.  Admissions were low so the special school was closed at the start of 1934. Later in 1934, a mainstream residential Catholic primary school was opened on the site. The school was called various names, including Castledare. The school opened in March 1929. Admissions were from referrals by the State Psychologist. This function ceased by 1934 and most of the boys resident at the special school were transferred to Clontarf. Coldrey (<

  • Archival Series

Last Updated: November 6th, 2025

South Australia

1961 - 1996

Log books – South Australia Youth Training Centre, South Australian Youth Remand and Assessment Centre, and predecessors

These logs record comments made by officers at the Boys Reformatory Magill, McNally Training Centre, South Australian Youth Training Centre, Vaughan House, South Australian Youth Remand and Assessment Centre, and Magill Training Centre. The logs record happenings during staff shifts- for staff accountability, to record any action taken and for handover from one shift to another. They record checks on the children at 5, 15 or 30 minute intervals. Entries include names and many other details of children including admittance and discharges, absconding, movements of children between locations, offences, length of sentences, behaviour and mood of children, visitors, medical appointments and details of medications, incidents and action taken, as well as other matters. Different units within each of the Centres has its own log books. The bulk of the records date from 1974 to 1996, although there are some earlier records in this series. Access Conditions Access to the records in thi

  • Archival Series

Last Updated: November 6th, 2025

South Australia

1961 - 1999

Log Books – South Australia Youth Remand and Assesment Centre (SAYRAC), and others

These Log Books contain information recorded by staff about the day-to-day occurrences at a number of children’s institutions run by the South Australian Government between 1961 and 1999. A number of different types of log books make up this series including: movement, programme, routine, observation, detention, Centre Duty Officer [CDO], day book, Matron, medical, visitors, maintenance, incident and separation logs. These log books have been archived under the name South Australian Youth Remand and Assessment Centre, however they also relate to: Vaughan House, including the Elizabeth Grace Hostel; Brookway Park, including the Kulkami Unit; McNally Training Centre; South Australian Youth Training Centre; Lochiel Park Boys’ Training Centre’; Kandarik Cottage; Central Region Assessment/Admission Unit; Clarence Park Assessment Unit; Woodville Assessment Unit; Southern Region Admission Unit; Central Western Admission Unit; Hay Community Unit; and Enfield Community Unit. Access Conditi

  • Archival Series

Last Updated: November 6th, 2025

South Australia

1947 - 1996

Property and personal disposition records – South Australian Youth Remand and Assessment Centre

These records contain information required for the official handover of children from the Police or Court to the South Australian Youth Remand and Assessment Centre (SAYRAC), and its predecessor Vaughan House. They record name, age, date of birth, police station or court and property belonging to youth, and note if they were to be returned to the Centre or released. Some entries are incomplete. Some records in this series are called ‘Receipt for mandate and/or person named thereon”, and contain similar information and were used for a similar purpose to the Property and personal disposition records. Some records in this series relate to young people who were transferred between the custody of police and the Children’s Court, but not to Vaughan House/SAYRAC. Access Conditions Access to these records is restricted for 100 years in order to protect personal privacy. People mentioned in these records have a right to access information about themselves. To request access to restr

  • Archival Series

Last Updated: November 6th, 2025

South Australia

1972 - 1994

Admission/intake cards – South Australia Youth Remand and Assessment Centre (SAYRAC)

These admission/intake cards make up an alphabetical index of youths admitted to the South Australian Youth Remand and Assessment Centre (SAYRAC), previously known as Vaughan House. Although the card index is archived under ‘SAYRAC’ cards were also kept prior to the name change in 1979. The series also includes admission index cards for Lochiel Park (boys only) from 1979 to 1990. Access Conditions Access to these records is restricted for 100 years in order to protect personal privacy. People mentioned in these records have a right to access information about themselves. To request access to restricted records please contact the Department for Child Protection Freedom of Information team. Records These admission/intake cards are also referred to as Liaison cards. They record details such as: (1) Name; (2) Age; (3) Date of birth; (4) Names and contact details of parents/guardians; (5) Height, weight and distinguishing marks; (6) Reasons admitted; (7) Court of commi

  • Archival Series

Last Updated: November 6th, 2025

South Australia

1985 - 1993

Admission book – South Australia Youth Remand and Assessment Centre

This Admission book contains details about young people admitted to the girls unit and the co-educational unit of the South Australian Youth Remand and Assessment Centre. Details recorded include name, date of birth, address, charge/reason for admission, details of release and release date. Entries are made in chronological order, and date from 1985 to 1993. Access Conditions Access to these records is restricted for 100 years to protect personal privacy. People mentioned in these records have a right to access information about themselves. To request access to these records please contact the Department for Child Protection Freedom of Information team.

  • Organisation

Last Updated: November 5th, 2025

New South Wales

1979 - 1999?

Grafton Shelter

Grafton Shelter was established by the Department of Youth and Community Services at Swallow Road, South Grafton in 1979. It provided short-term detention for up to 6 children at a time who were on remand and awaiting court appearances, or awaiting transfer to a youth detention facility. Prior to the opening of the shelter these children were detained in the cells at the Grafton police station. Children’s stays at the Shelter were often as short as only one night, but some spent up to three weeks there. In 1981 33 children passed through the Shelter. It is not yet known when the Grafton Shelter closed, however it was possibly closed in 1999 with the opening of the Acmena Youth Justice Centre, which was also located on Swallow Road, South Grafton.

  • Organisation

Last Updated: November 5th, 2025

New South Wales

1977 - 1980s

Myee Home

Myee Home was in Myee, a house in Arncliffe that was formerly the Myee Babies Home or Myee Hostel. It was used by the Department of Youth and Community Services as a home for secondary school aged boys who were considered to have intellectual disabilities between 1977 and some time in the 1980s.

  • Archival Collection

Last Updated: November 3rd, 2025

South Australia

1990 - 2004

Records of Cavan Training Centre, State Records of South Australia

State Records of South Australia hold a small collection of records about the Cavan Training Centre and the young people who attended the centre. These records contain information relating to court appearances made by the residents, reports on the number of residents at the Centre, and minutes of meetings of the senior staff management team at the Centre. Many of these records contain details about individuals. Some records may also contain information about people who were admitted to the South Australian Youth Training Centre. Access Conditions Access to these records is restricted for 100 years to protect personal privacy. People mentioned in these records have the right to access information about themselves. To request access to these records please contact the Department of Human Services Freedom of Information Team. Records Card index relating to court app

  • Archival Series

Last Updated: November 3rd, 2025

South Australia

1973 - 1979

Observation logs – Slade Cottage, Glandore and Somerton Park

These observation logs for Slade Cottage at Glandore and Somerton Park contain notes made by staff at the cottage. The notes include information about the movements, activities, and appointments of children living at the cottage, and include the names of individual children. No further information about these logs have been published in the State Records of South Australia Catalogue. Access Conditions Access to these records is restricted for 100 years to protect personal privacy. People mentioned in these records have a right to access information about themselves. To request access to these records please contact the Department for Child Protection Freedom of Information team.

  • Archival Series

Last Updated: November 3rd, 2025

South Australia

1966 - 1973

Slides – Glandore Boys’ Home

This series contains photographic slides, and some photographs, taken by staff at the Glandore Boys’ Home. The images show children, staff, and buildings, and activities such as Christmas parties, excursions, and daily routine at the Home. Some slides have captions which include the names of children and staff. Some, but not all of the slides have been reproduced as photographs. Access Conditions Access to these images is restricted for 100 years to protect personal privacy. People depicted in these images have a right to view images of themselves. To request access to these records please contact the Department for Child Protection Freedom of Information team.

  • Archival Collection

Last Updated: November 3rd, 2025

South Australia

c. 1845 - 1927

Records of the Destitute Board and Destitute Asylum, State Records of South Australia

State Records of South Australia hold a large collection of records created by the Destitute Board, which include records about children and unmarried mothers admitted to the Destitute Asylum and Lying-in Home, as well as records about the Industrial and Reformatory Schools at Brighton and Magill. The records include admissions registers to the Destitute Asylum and Lying-in Home, lists of “orphan and deserted children”, registers of children boarded out from the asylum, register of infants born at the asylum, registers of licensed foster mothers and the children fostered to them, account books showing maintenance payments for children, registers of children transferred to other institutions, and registers of children apprenticed, adopted, or sent out to work, plus more administrative and contextual records such as correspondence files, committee meeting minutes, and annual reports. Access Conditions Records created by the Destitute Board that relate to children admitted to t

  • Organisation

Last Updated: October 28th, 2025

Western Australia

1952 - 1982?

C.W.A Girls’ Hostel, Bunbury

The C.W.A. Girls’ Hostel was established by the Country Women’s Association in 1952 in Haig Crescent, Bunbury. It was also known as Heath House. The Holstel provided accommodation for girls attending Bunbury High School, replacing the Mary Clementina Hostel for Girls. Initially the hostel only had accommodation for 12 girls. In 1958, major renovations including a dining hall, kitchen, storeroom and more rooms saw the number of residents increase to 42. It is likely that the girls hostel merged with Craig House, the C.W.A Boys Hostel in Bunbury, in 1965 when the boys hostel also began accepting girls, however this has not yet been confirmed.

  • Organisation

Last Updated: October 28th, 2025

Western Australia

1979 - 1987

Devonleigh

Devonleigh, in Peppermint Grove, previously a hospital, was used by Mental Health Services (MHS) to accommodate children with intellectual disabilities from 1979 until its closure in 1987. Mental Health Services took control of Devonleigh Hospital in November 1979, and it is likely that the first residents moved into Devonleigh in 1980. The former Devonleigh Maternity Hospital was used to accommodate up to 32 children who were transferred from Pyrton Training Centre.  The on-site nurses quarters became an independence training home for 6 to 8 people, and the former matron’s quarters was used as a training day centre for adults. In 1981 a visiting physician spoke about the impersonal nature of Devonleigh, where children’s clothes were stamped with MHS in large letters.

  • Organisation

Last Updated: October 28th, 2025

Western Australia

1949 - 1978

Craig House

Craig House was run by the Country Women’s Association (CWA) from 1949 as a hostel for boys going to the Bunbury High Schoo. From 1965 it also accommodated female students. Craig House closed in 1969 due to financial issues, however was reopened in 1972 under the management of the Country High School Hostels Authority. Craig House closed in 1978. In 1949 Craig House was located on Fraser Street, Bunbury, in premises previously owned by the Eastern Goldfields Fresh Air League (the Western Australian Heritage Council gives the address for this site as Carey Street, however in November 2021 a former resident confirmed the address for Craig House was Fraser Street). The building had been converted by the Education Department for use as a hostel. A newspaper article published in The West Australian in 1953, reporting on an outbreak of influenza at the hostel, states that it had accommodation for 58 boys. Craig House remained at the Fraser street location until around 1965, when

  • Contact Details

Last Updated: October 27th, 2025

Western Australia

Aboriginal History Research Services – Contact Details

Please contact Aboriginal History Research Services, Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport: Postal Address: PO Box 8349, Perth Business Centre WA 6849 Phone: 1800 161 301 Email: ahrs@cits.wa.gov.au Website : https://www.cits.wa.gov.au/aboriginal-culture/aboriginal-history

  • Archival Collection

Last Updated: October 27th, 2025

Queensland

1940 - current

Silky Oaks Haven for Children, Records

The Silky Oaks Haven for Children describes its collection of records as containing: ‘Personal information regarding entry and discharge dates, birth dates, parent and sibling names, school history, photographs of the site and accommodation, some contain records of the reasons for discharge. Photographs of the buildings and area show the location and accommodation of the client group, group photos help identify themselves, and other children and staff they may have shared time with.’ Documentation has been kept from 1940 onwards. However, information on residents in the early years is sparse. Access Conditions For access to these records please contact Silky Oaks Haven for Children. All past and present residents can have access to their files and the information therein. In cases where there are reports from professionals (eg psychologist), permission is first sought from the professional to release this information. Persons wishing to view their file may need to establi

  • Organisation

Last Updated: October 24th, 2025

New South Wales

1893 - 1912

Warangesda Dormitory

Warangesda Dormitory was established on an Aborigines Protection Association station at Warangesda, near Darlington Point, in 1893. It trained Aboriginal girls for domestic service and served as a welfare depot for younger children from other reserves and stations. In 1897 the Aborigines Protection Board took over managing Warangesda Mission and the Dormitory. Girls from Warangesda were sent into domestic service ‘apprenticeship’ by the Board. Warangesda Dormitory closed in 1912 and girls were transferred to Cootamundra Training Home. The Mission was sold in 1926. The site and surviving buildings were listed on the State Heritage Register in 2013. The Dormitory ruins were still visible in March 2014. Warangesda Station was established at Darlington Point by the Reverend JB Gribble in 1880 as a refuge for Aboriginal people. Gribble’s aims were to Christianise the Aboriginal people, as well as shield them from the influences of white people, such as tobacco, alcohol, prostitution and

  • Archival Item

Last Updated: October 24th, 2025

New South Wales

1932 - 1988

Register, Bomaderry Aboriginal Children’s Home

The Register, Bomaderry Aboriginal Children’s Home, is a single-volume admission register, listing children admitted to Bomaderry. The register appears to be a handwritten transcription of details relating to the admission and discharge of children to and from Bomaderry Aboriginal Children’s Home, written in a single hand and compiled from other sources. In late 2022, a representative of the now-defunct UAM Ministries (the successor to United Aborigines Mission, who ran Bomaderry) transferred custody of this document to the Department of Aboriginal Affairs NSW. The original register is now held by Museums of History (State Archives NSW) for safekeeping and is owned by the Children of the Bomaderry Aboriginal Children’s Home. Entries in the register cover the period February 1932 – October 1988 and include information such as dates of admission and discharge as wel

  • Archival Collection

Last Updated: October 24th, 2025

Victoria

1937 - 1993

Records of Pleasant Creek Colony/Pleasant Creek Training Centre

Records of Pleasant Creek Colony, later known as Pleasant Creek Training Centre, are held by the Public Record Office Victoria. They include Admission and Discharge registers, which include details about children admitted to Pleasant Creek, as well as information about staff who worked at the centre. Information in the admission and discharge registers varies by date, but generally includes: the child’s name, gender, date of birth, date of admission, type of admission, date of any previous admissions, dates of medical certificates, date of discharge and who discharged to, religion, previous address, medical and physical condition, and sometimes other notes or remarks. Access Conditions Access to these records is restricted to protect personal privacy. People mentioned in these records have a right to access information about themselves. For access to these records please contact the Care Leaver Record Service.

  • Organisation

Last Updated: October 23rd, 2025

Victoria

1955 - 1993

Turana

Turana was a government-run reception centre established in 1955 in Royal Park, Parkville. It was formerly known as the Royal Park Depot. Turana was the sole reception centre for children committed to State ‘care’ until 1961 when Allambie became the main government reception centre. From 1961, the site housed the Turana Remand Centre and the Turana Youth Training Centre. (Baltara reception Centre was located on the same site from 1968 to 1992.) In 1993, the Melbourne Youth Justice Centre opened on the site of Turana. The change of name from Royal Park Depot to ‘Turana’ occurred in 1955, an initiative of the new Chief Secretary, Mr Rylah. The Department’s annual report for that year stated: ‘The Chief Secretary, soon after taking office, recognized the oddity of this coldly official title [Children’s Welfare Department’s Receiving Depots for Girls and Boys] of an establishment where in fact there was extremely warm and loving care of children.’ They chose Turana (said to be an Aborig

  • Organisation

Last Updated: October 23rd, 2025

South Australia

1952 - 1973

Tanderra Girls’ Home

Tanderra Girls’ Home was opened by the South Australian Council of the United Aborigines Mission at Parkside in 1952. It was established as accommodation for older Aboriginal girls who had left Colebrook Home. It accommodated up to ten girls. In later years Tanderra moved to Torrensville. The Home closed in 1973. Tanderra Girls Home was opened in 1952 by United Aborigines Mission (UAM) Sisters Ruby Hyde and Delia Rutter who had been matrons at Colebrook Home both in Quorn and Eden Hills. The Home was established because many older Aboriginal girls who had left Colebrook Home and entered employment, turned to the two sisters for assistance with housing and other matters. A number stayed with the sisters in their own home. Realising the need for a hostel for such girls, the two sisters arranged for the purchase of a building at Parkside. Prior to the establishment of Tanderra Girls’ Home, Sisters Hyde and Rutter, along with other UAM missionaries, had split from the Victorian ba

  • Archival Collection

Last Updated: October 23rd, 2025

South Australia

1938 - 2005

Records of Point Pearce Aboriginal School, State Records of South Australia

There is a small collection of records from the Point Pearce Aboriginal School, held by the State Records of South Australia. The collection includes admission registers and roll books, which contain information about children attending the school, including Aboriginal children living at Point Pearce Aboriginal Station. Access Conditions The Roll Books in this series are open access, and may be viewed by any member of the public. For access to open records please contact State Records of South Australia. Some of the Admission Registers are restricted to protect personal privacy. People mentioned in these records have a right to access information about themselves. To arrange access to restricted records please contact the Department of Education Information Release Unit. Records The Admission Registers (GRS/16966) in this collection date from 1938 to 1996, an

  • Organisation

Last Updated: October 23rd, 2025

Western Australia

1899 - 1934

Sunday Island Mission

Sunday Island Mission was established in 1899 as a private mission by Sydney Hadley. It was run by the Australian Aborigines’ Mission (1923-1929) and the United Aborigines Mission from 1929 to 1934 when it relocated to Wotjulum (1934-1937) before returning to Sunday Island. From 1905, children at Sunday Island were under the guardianship of the departments responsible for Aboriginal welfare. The Sunday Island Mission was established by Sydney Hadley in 1899, near the entrance to King Sound. Hadley had previously been at Forrest River Mission and in 1884 took a pastoral lease over Lombardina. Hadley has been credited for speaking the local language and not attempting ‘to break down the traditional culture’ of the Aboriginal people in the area, but he was accused of taking ‘wives’ from among the young Aboriginal girls. This was known to the authorities but they did not, as Hadley urged, have a public inquiry. Missionaries from the Australian Aborigines’ Mission (AAM) volunteered at

  • Archival Collection

Last Updated: October 23rd, 2025

South Australia

1887 - 1994

Records of Raukkan Aboriginal School, formerly Point McLeay Mission School, State Records of South Australia

There is a small collection of records from the Raukkan Aboriginal School, also known as the Point McLeay Mission School, held by the State Records of South Australia. The collection includes admission registers and inspectors registers, which contain information about the school itself, and children attending the school, which includes Aboriginal children living at Raukkan/Point McLeay Mission. Access Conditions The Admission Registers in this series are open access, and may be viewed by any member of the public. For access to open records please contact State Records of South Australia. Some of the Inspectors registers are restricted to protect personal privacy. People mentioned in these records have a right to access information about themselves. To arrange access to restricted records please contact the Department of Education Information Release Unit. Records The Admission registers in this collection contain basic details about children admitted to the schoo

  • Archival Collection

Last Updated: October 23rd, 2025

South Australia

1845 - 2008

Records of Glenside Hospital, later Glenside Campus Mental Health Service, Central Northern Adelaide Health Service

State Records of South Australia hold a collection of records created by the Glenside Hospital, later called the Glenside Campus Mental Health Service, that contain details about people admitted to the hospital and the treatments they received. Some of the record books used by the Glenside Hospital were also used by the earlier Colonial Lunatic Asylum, Adelaide Asylum, and Parkside Asylum/Mental Hospital. A full list of records from the Glenside Hospital, including links to more details about these records, can by found under the ‘Inventory of Series’ tab at the bottom of the State Records of South Australia catalogue entry linked on this page. Access Conditions Access to records about the Glenside Hospital is restricted for up to 100 years to protect personal privacy. People in these records have a right to access information about themselves. For access to restricted records please contact the Glenside Health Services Records Manager. Records The records of

  • Archival Collection

Last Updated: October 22nd, 2025

South Australia

1845 - 2008

Records of Parkside Lunatic Asylum, later Parkside Mental Hospital

State Records of South Australia hold a collection of records created by the Parkside Lunatic Asylum, later known as the Parkside Mental Hospital, that contain details about people admitted to the institution and the treatments they received. Some of the record books used by the Parkside Asylum/Hospital were also used by the earlier Colonial Lunatic Asylum and Adelaide Asylum, and some continued to be used by Glenside Mental Hospital into the early 21st century. A full list of records from the Parkside Lunatic Asylum and Parkside Mental Hospital, including links to more details about these records, can by found under the ‘Inventory of Series’ tab at the bottom of the State Records of South Australia catalogue entry linked on this page. Access Conditions Access to records about the Parkside Lunatic Asylum and Mental Hospital is restricted for up to 100 years to protect personal privacy. People in these records have a right to access information about themselves. For acces

  • Organisation

Last Updated: October 22nd, 2025

New South Wales

1927 - 1993

Church of England Children’s Homes, Burwood

Church of England Children’s Homes was established in 1927. It was previously known as Church of England Orphanage. It was run by a private committee. The home accepted children between the ages of two and six years old, who remained at the home until they were old enough to work. In the 1980s the organisation changed its name to the Weldon Centre. Church of England Children’s Homes had their beginnings in 1893 with work carried out by the Community of the Sisters of the Church of England in a rented cottage in Burwood in Sydney’s inner west that was named ‘Church of England Orphanage’. In 1927 the Homes were incorporated under the Companies Act, with limited liability, and changed name to Church of England Children’s Homes, Burwood. The Sisters of the Church of England were not associated with the Home after this time. The annual report of the Church of England Children’s Home, Burwood, for 1939-1940 stated that the home accepted children between the ages of two and six years ol

  • Organisation

Last Updated: October 22nd, 2025

New South Wales

c. 1980 - current

Weldon Centre

The Weldon Centre at Burwood was a new name for the Church of England Children’s Homes, Burwood. It operated in the same buildings. The Weldon Centre closed its residential operations in 1993 and in 2012 offered a range of early childhood services. In 2012 the Weldon Centre was operating Before, After and Vacation Care Programs, a Helping Early Leaver’s Program, a Family Support Program, a Youth Development Officer and Occasional Care. In 2012 a former youth worker at the Weldon Centre contacted the NSW State-Based Historian to donate a collection of 100 photographs, taken in 1981. These colour snapshots, which feature excursions and events within the home, have the names of children and workers written on the back. They have been deposited with the National Orphanage Museum (Care Leavers Australia Network). The Weldon Centre holds records relating to the Church of England Children’s Homes, Burwood, and other Homes.

  • Organisation

Last Updated: October 22nd, 2025

New South Wales

1893 - 1927

Church of England Orphanage

The Church of England Orphanage was established in 1893 by the Community of Sisters of the Church of England, also known as the Kilburn Sisters. It was not connected with any of the official welfare agencies of the Church of England. It initially took in girls, and provided them with basic education and domestic training. The orphanage was originally located at a depot run by the Sisters in Surry Hills, before moving to Waverley. It then occupied several rented houses in Chatswood and Paddington before moving to Burwood in 1905. By 1912 the Orphanage included a Girls’ Home on Weldon Street, and in 1917-1918 a Boys’ Home, on Wyatt Avenue. In 1927 the Community of Sisters of the Church of England withdrew from the orphanage and its name was changed to Church of England Children’s Homes, Burwood. Despite its name, the Church of England Orphanage was not connected with any of the official welfare agencies of the Church of England in Australia. The orphanage was opened due to the revelat

  • Archival Collection

Last Updated: October 22nd, 2025

South Australia

1846 - 1980

Records of the Adelaide Lunatic Asylum

State Records of South Australia hold a collection of records created by the Adelaide Lunatic Asylum that contain details about people admitted to the asylum. The records include admission books and papers, discharge and trial-leave papers, patient case books, patient property books, post-mortem books, visitor’s books, and various administrative papers that include details about patients transferred between the asylum and other institutions, and patients transferred to the asylum from Broken Hill. Some of the record books used by the Adelaide Asylum were also used by the earlier Colonial Lunatic Asylum, and some continued to be used by the Parkside and Glenside mental hospitals into the late 20th century. A full list of records from the Adelaide Lunatic Asylum, including links to more details about these records, can by found under the ‘Inventory of Series’ tab at the bottom of the State Records of South Australia catalogue entry linked on this page. Access Conditions Record

  • Organisation

Last Updated: October 22nd, 2025

New South Wales

1982 - 1993

Wyatt Lodge

Wyatt Lodge was established in 1982 as a residential care unit, as part of the Church of England Children’s Homes, Burwood. In the 1980s Church of England Homes Burwood changed their name to the Weldon Centre. This closed as a residential institution in 1993 due to a lack of government funding. In 2012 a former youth worker at the Weldon Centre contacted the Find & Connect web resource to donate a collection of 100 photographs, taken in 1981. These colour snapshots, which feature excursions and events within the home, have the names of children and workers written on the back. They have been deposited with the National Orphanage Museum (Care Leavers Australia Network).

  • Archival Collection

Last Updated: October 22nd, 2025

South Australia

1846 - 1980

Records of the Colonial Lunatic Asylum, Parkside

State Records of South Australia hold a collection of records created by the Colonial Lunatic Asylum, Parkside, that contain details about people admitted to the asylum. The records include admission books and papers, discharge and trial-leave papers, visitor’s books, and various administrative papers that include details about patients transferred between the asylum and other institutions. The records created by the Colonial Lunatic Asylum continued to be used after the asylum was renamed the Adelaide Asylum, and some continued to be used by the Parkside and Glenside mental hospitals into the late 20th century. A full list of records from the Colonial Lunatic Asylum, including links to more details about these records, can by found under the ‘Inventory of Series’ tab at the bottom of the State Records of South Australia catalogue entry linked on this page. Access Conditions Records about the Colonial Lunatic Asylum are open access, and can be viewed by any member of the pub

  • Organisation

Last Updated: October 22nd, 2025

New South Wales

1997 - current

Department of Aboriginal Affairs, State Government of New South Wales

The Department of Aboriginal Affairs in New South Wales is the custodian of the records of the Aborigines Welfare Board (formerly known as the Aborigines Protection Board) and the Chief Secretary. The Family Records Service was established as a result of the New South Wales Government response to the Bringing Them Home Report to assist Aboriginal people in New South Wales to access government records of themselves and their families, particularly members of the Stolen Generation who lost connection with their families as a result of past government policies and practices. Access Conditions Records relating to Aboriginal people are held by State Records NSW. However, due to the personal and sensitive nature of the information in these records many are closed to public access. All of these records have been digitised which enables the Unit to access them direct and provide copies free of charge to people who have completed a “Finding your Mob” Personal Family History applic