Pybus Family Home was opened by the government in Port Augusta in 1972. It was the first Family Home established by the Department in Port Augusta. It provided emergency and short-term care for children while a family crisis was being assessed or while other placement options were being determined. Family Homes accommodated up to eight children. Pybus Family Home closed in 1980.
Pybus Family Home at 84 Pybus Street, Port Pirie commenced operation on 29 March 1972 and was one of the first 'family homes' established by the Department for Community Welfare in a country area. It was the first Family Home established in Port Augusta. The second, Dartmouth Family Home, opened a year later in 1973.
'Family homes' generally accommodated eight children or less in a family style setting. They provided emergency and short-term care for children while a family crisis was being assessed or while other placement options were being determined. The family home parents were not paid a salary by the Department but were provided with rent-free accommodation at the home and received a subsidy for each child in residence.
Pybus Family Home closed in 1980.
Sources used to compile this entry: George, Karen, Finding your own way, Nunkuwarrin Yunti of South Australia Inc., 2005, http://nunku.org.au/resources/; Mullighan, the Hon E.P., Children in State Care Commission of Inquiry: Allegations of sexual abuse and death from criminal conduct, presented to the South Australian Parliament by the Hon. E.P. Mullighan QC, Commisioner, Children in State Care Commission of Enquiry, Adelaide, South Australia, 2008, 564 pp, https://www.childprotection.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/107201/children-in-state-care-commission-of-inquiry-introducation.pdf.
Prepared by: Karen George and Gary George
Created: 14 February 2011, Last modified: 13 February 2014