Last Updated: April 10th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph showing three toddlers, an adult and two dogs in the playground at Brougham. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice. This photo is undated, the date included is an estimate.
Last Updated: April 10th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph showing the swimming pool in the grounds of Brougham. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice. This photo is undated, the date included is an estimate.
Last Updated: April 10th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph showing approximately 15 children, all in blue shirts and grey shorts, playing cricket in the grounds of Brougham. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice. This photo is undated, the date included is an estimate.
Last Updated: April 10th, 2026
New South Wales
This is an image of three children at the piano at Brougham. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice. This photo is undated, the date included is an estimate.
Last Updated: April 10th, 2026
New South Wales
This is an image of Brougham children’s Home. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice. This photo is undated, the date included is an estimate.
Last Updated: April 9th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph showing approximately nine girls in the garden at the Cootamundra Training Home, later called the Bimbadeen Girls Home. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice. This photo is undated, the date included is an estimate.
Last Updated: April 9th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph of a dormitory at Cootamundra Training Home, later called Bimbadeen Girls Home. It shows a room that appears to be a converted porch with at least six beds, each with a towel hanging over the end. Several of the beds have stuffed toys on them. Each bed has a bedside table and wardrobe next to it. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice. This photo is undated, the date included is an estimate.
Last Updated: April 9th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph of what is possibly a dining room at Cootamundra Training Home, later called Bimbadeen Girls Home. It shows a room with several small tables and dining chairs in it. There is a window and door through to what appears to be a kitchen. The room appears to be a partially finished extension added on to the side of the original building. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice. This photo is undated, the date included is an estimate.
Last Updated: April 9th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph of the entrance to one of the cottages at Clairvaux. It shows a brick cottage with a stepped brick front porch. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice. This photo is undated, the date included is an estimate.
Last Updated: April 9th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph of cottages at Clairvaux. It shows three brick cottages set among bushland. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice. This photo is undated, the date included is an estimate.
Last Updated: April 9th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph of a dormitory at Clairvaux. It shows three beds with orange striped blankets, each in it’s own section divided by low walls and furniture including bookshelves, desks, and wardrobes. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice. This photo is undated, the date included is an estimate.
Last Updated: April 9th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph of a boy in one of the dormitories at Clairvaux. It shows a room with two lines of beds with beige sheets, each with a small wardrobe next to it. There is a boy looking at clothes in one of the wardrobes. There is a toy bear sitting on one of the beds, and toy vehicles neatly placed on each of the wardrobes. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice. This photo is undated, the date included is an estimate.
Last Updated: April 9th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph of boys playing rugby at Clairvaux. It shows approximately 13 boys in blue sports uniforms on a rugby pitch surrounded by trees. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice.
Last Updated: April 9th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph of a group of boys walking up the Clairvaux driveway towards the main gates. It shows a long, steep driveway with a metal sign that says “Clairvaux” in front of a large white building with a red roof. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice. This photo is undated, the date included is an estimate.
Last Updated: April 9th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph of boys running on the lawn in front of Clairvaux. It shows four boys in front of a large two-storey building with two wings facing towards lawn sloping away from the building. This image appeared in the Child Welfare Department of New South Wales Annual Report of 1969 alongside the caption “Spacious lawns and gardens provide a delightful setting for Clairvaux, the new establishment for intellectually handicapped boys”. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice.
Last Updated: April 9th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a collage of photographs showing murals on the walls in the Bunda dormitory at Daruk. It shows a large room filled with beds with red blankets and no other furniture. On the walls are murals showing people driving and riding various vehicles. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice. This photo is undated, the date included is an estimate.
Last Updated: April 9th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a collage of photographs showing murals on the walls in the Wolara dormitory at Daruk. It shows a large room filled with beds with green blankets divided by small bedside tables. On the walls are murals showing various native Australian animals, as well as two Aboriginal people. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice. This photo is undated, the date included is an estimate.
Last Updated: April 9th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a collage of photographs showing murals on the walls in the Kuma dormitory at Daruk. It shows a large room filled with beds with yellow blankets divided by small bedside tables. On the walls are murals showing various native birds. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice. This photo is undated, the date included is an estimate.
Last Updated: April 9th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph of boys at Daruk playing volleyball. It shows about 10 boys, all wearing blue pants and dark blue jumpers, playing volleyball with a staff member supervising. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice. This photo is undated, the date included is an estimate.
Last Updated: April 9th, 2026
New South Wales
This is an image of staff and boys at Daruk eating outside. It shows people eating at three long rows of tables laid out in a field in front of the Daruk buildings. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice. This photo is undated, the date included is an estimate.
Last Updated: April 9th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph of an empty hall or gymnasium at Daruk. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice. This photo is undated, the date included is an estimate.
Last Updated: April 9th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph of staff and boys playing tug of war in a field at Daruk. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice. This photo is undated, the date included is an estimate.
Last Updated: April 9th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph of the whole Daruk complex, taken from above. It shows a large range of brick buildings, surrounded by bushland. There is a large smoke-stack on the right hand side of the complex. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice.
Last Updated: April 9th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph of girls and a woman outside the King Edward Home. The six girls appear to be coming home from school – they are all wearing a dark green dress and are carrying small cases. The younger girls are hugging the older woman who is standing on the porch of the Home to greet them. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice. This photo is undated, the date included is an estimate.
Last Updated: April 8th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph of Castle Hill House It shows a large two-storey white rendered house with columns holding up a small front balcony. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice.
Last Updated: April 8th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph showing seven boys playing sports in the yard at Castle Hill House. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice.
Last Updated: April 8th, 2026
New South Wales
1932 - current
The Anglicare Children’s Homes, Foster Care and Out-of-Home Care Records collection includes records from the Church of England Homes and Sydney Anglican Home Mission Society, as well as some records relating to group homes and foster care. The collection also includes records from some Homes not operated by Anglicare, Church of England Homes or Sydney Anglican Home Mission Society. The collection dates from the 1920s up to the present day, and includes records from Anglicare’s present-day foster care and residential care programs. Access Conditions For access to these records please contact Care Leavers Records and Archives. Access to information contained in these records is restricted to ex-clients, or to a member of an ex-client’s family providing they have the written permission of that person. Support can be provided to people as they access thei
Last Updated: April 8th, 2026
New South Wales
1942 - 1966
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
Last Updated: April 8th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph showing two boys and a woman watching television at Castle Hill House. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice.
Last Updated: April 8th, 2026
New South Wales
1941 - 1983
Rathgar was the first children’s home established by the United Protestant Association. It was opened at Grafton in 1941. Initially in poor repair, Rathgar home was refurbished by volunteers who, despite wartime shortages of materials and labour, had the home ready for opening by 15 March 1941. By 1942 Rathgar was full to capacity with 23 children, so Rathmore, next door, was bought and refurbished to provide accommodation for 12 infants under the age of seven. By 1944 there were 55 children in Rathgar and Rathmore, but wartime rationing was still in effect. The homes grew most their own food, with the labour of the children.
Last Updated: April 8th, 2026
New South Wales
1973 - 1980s
Tallimba was established at Camden on the 26 October 1973 by the Department of Child Welfare and Social Welfare. It was a training school for young male offenders, and used a pioneering ‘therapeutic community’ model of individual, group and family therapy. It probably closed in the 1980s. Tallimba was designed as a ‘short-term intensive treatment centre for young male offenders’, reflecting newer ideas about juvenile justice and delinquency just then coming into use. Boys who were sent there were expected to take part in their own psychological therapy, and to engage with staff and social workers. It had an ’emphasis on parent participation’, another indication of changing ideas about delinquency in society and in the social work field. In the words of the 1974 Annual Report of the Department of Youth and Community Services, with the opening of Talimba: … a new concept in the residential care of delinquent boys began. Tallimba was developed as a therapeutic comm
Last Updated: April 8th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph showing the views from Tallimba’s camp cottage. It shows two small weatherboard cottages on a hill overlooking the mouth of a river, surrounded by bushland. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice. This photo is undated, the date included is an estimate.
Last Updated: April 8th, 2026
From the 1930’s to the 1980’s newborn babies were removed from their unmarried mothers immediately after birth, often without any contact or even sight of the child, to be placed with a married couple. The shame and stigma of pregnancy outside of marriage was such that maternity homes were established where families could send their daughters to have their children to be adopted out, with or without her consent. There were few options for unwed mothers to keep their baby. Little financial support was available to single mothers, and many more institutions were engaged in what we now know as forced adoptions than there were safe places for a single mother to take care of her baby. Mothers were subject to abuse in maternity homes, sometimes shackled to the bed during birth until their baby was removed, drugged and forced to sign papers consenting to adoption, or misled by social workers about financial support
Last Updated: April 8th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph of the camp cottage used by Tallimba. It shows a small weatherboard cottage with a stone chimney and front steps, with bushland behind it. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice. This photo is undated, the date included is an estimate.
Last Updated: April 8th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph of about 20 boys playing rugby on a field at Tallimba. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice. This photo is undated, the date included is an estimate.
Last Updated: April 8th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph the loungeroom at Tallimba. It shows a room filled small tables and chairs, with a television in the corner. Various decorations have been added to the room, such as vases of flowers, a chess board, and a scrabble board. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice. This photo is undated, the date included is an estimate.
Last Updated: April 8th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph of a dormitory at Tallimba. It shows a room with at least five beds, each with its own desk, chair, and wardrobe. The beds have green bedspreads on them, and the furniture is orange. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice. This photo is undated, the date included is an estimate.
Last Updated: April 8th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph of a dormitory at Tallimba. It shows a room with a sloped ceiling containing at least four beds, desks and chairs, and wardrobes. Each bed is in its own section, somewhat separated from others by the furniture. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice. This photo is undated, the date included is an estimate.
Last Updated: April 8th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph of the games/recreation room at Tallimba. It shows a room containing a ping-pong table, some tables with a checkers board set up on it, and two posters on the wall showing motorsports. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice. This photo is undated, the date included is an estimate.
Last Updated: April 8th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph of one of the buildings at Tallimba. It shows the entrance to a two-storey brick building with bay windows and a covered front porch. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice. This photo is undated, the date included is an estimate.
Last Updated: April 8th, 2026
New South Wales
Please contact Care Leavers Records and Archives: Phone: 0437 870 478 or (02) 9890 6800 Email: careleaversarchive@anglicare.org.au Website: https://www.anglicare.org.au/resources/policies-and-information/care-leavers-records/
Last Updated: April 8th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph of one of the buildings at Tallimba. It shows a brick building on raised ground with a walkway or additional rooms underneath. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice. This photo is undated, the date included is an estimate.
Last Updated: April 8th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph of a classroom at Tallimba. It shows a room with four six-seater tables, and a blackboard and teacher’s desk at the front. Some of the tables have various pieces of equipment on them such as a film projector and radio. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice.
Last Updated: April 8th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph of the dining room at Reiby set for Christmas dinner. It shows a long room with tables laid out in a horse-shoe shape set with cutlery, cups, napkins, flowers, fruit, and paper cut-outs of Christmas trees. There is a small hanging sign on the back wall that reads ‘Merry Christmas’, next to another large red and white banner that reads ’55’. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice. This photo is undated, the date included is an estimate.
Last Updated: April 8th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph of the dental surgery at Reiby. It shows a small room with a reclined dental chair, including a tray with equipment on it, a small sink, and an overhead light. There is a small back room with benches, a sink, and a piece of equipment on a tall stand. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice. This photo is undated, the date included is an estimate.
Last Updated: April 8th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph of the laundry at Reiby. It shows a large room with industrial washing machines along one wall, and short shelves/benches in the centre of the room. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice. This photo is undated, the date included is an estimate.
Last Updated: April 8th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph of the grounds at Reiby, taken from an undercover walkway alongside a brick building. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice. This photo is undated, the date included is an estimate.
Last Updated: April 8th, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph taken in the loungeroom of the privilege cottage at Reiby. It shows a room with several small tables, a television, and dining chairs. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice.
Last Updated: April 2nd, 2026
New South Wales
This is a photograph showing several girls in and around the swimming pool at Reiby, supervised by an adult male. This photograph is part of a collection of photographs from children’s Homes and Institutions held by the NSW Department of Community Justice. This photo is undated, the date included is an estimate.
Last Updated: April 2nd, 2026
New South Wales
1973 - 1991
Reiby Training School was established at Airds, near Campbelltown, by the Department of Youth and Community Services in 1973. Initially, it was a home for girls defined as delinquent. The 1974 Annual Report of the Youth and Community Services Department described the centre, which cost ‘over $2,000,000’, and its official opening: Officially opened by Sir Roden Cutler, V.C., K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O., C.B.E., K.St.J., on 3 August 1973, Reiby is the most modern of the recently completed, larger-type training schools. … Accommodation is available for up to 100 girls up to the age of 18 years with the majority of the population being composed of girls 15 years and over. In 1977, Reiby became coeducational, following the closure of the Ormond Training School. According to Quinn (2006), Reiby Training Centre provided accommodation for about 90 girls aged 14 to 16. ‘It followed the prevailing model of four houses of twenty inmates each, as well as a privilege cotta