Bungarimbil Boys' Home

Bungarimbil Boys’ Home was a small, cottage-style Home founded by the Church of England (Anglican) Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn at Tumbarumba in 1957. Some children were transferred from the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and placed in this Home. The property was bequeathed to the Church by Mrs Jean McLeod. Later, extra land was added and the Home expanded in 1961. This Home closed in 1983 and became Wagga Community Services.

In 1949 Mrs Jean Macleod transferred 937 acres to the Church Property Trust, and later, further property, together with the Bungarimbil homestead and outbuildings. Bishop KJ Clements planned Bungarimbil, intending it would be ‘a real home’. A bequest of $30,000 from the Estate of the late Mrs Ruby Woodhouse was made available to the Church Property Trust, the interest of which was to be used for the Bungarimbil Boys’ Home.

Bungarimbil Boys’ Home opened in 1957 when it took in a family of eight boys aged between three and fourteen years old following the death of their mother. At this time renovations on the home had not been completed, however the decision was made to open the home earlier than anticipated in order to provide emergency care for the family of boys. By September there were 12 boys in the home. Bungarimbil was staffed by house parents. An auxiliary provided amenities for the home. According to the Trust Acceptance Ordinance of the home preference of acceptance into the home was given to children of Australia, British, and allied ex-servicemen.

High demand for accommodation for boys led to the expansion of the home. In April, 1961, a contract was signed for the building of a second home at the cost of $32,000. The opening of the new 52 sq. Edna Burgmann Boys’ Home took place on 25th November, 1961, and was dedicated by Bishop Clements. The official ‘turning of the key’ was performed by Mgrs. Clements.

The home operated until 1983. In March 2013 ‘Bungarimbil’ was a private house, for sale as an eight bedroom, 54 square metre house on nine acres.