Yaandina Family Centre, Roebourne, was established by a local committee in 1974 to provide short term accommodation for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal babies and children and, from 1984 for young mothers. Nursing services were provided by the Sisters of St John of God until 1982. From 1983, it was managed by Ieramugadu Community Incorporated, which no longer operates. Yaandina’s residential program for youth had closed by 1995.
Government reports (Signposts 2004, pp.583-584) show that Yaandina has fulfilled a number of functions over the years, but that its focus has been on babies, young children and their mothers, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal.
Established by a local management committee in 1974, Yaandina provided an alternative for children who might otherwise have been ‘committed’ as wards of the State, according to child welfare authorities in 1976.
In the 1980s, there was not a great need for nursing services Sisters of St John of God withdrew from Yaandina in May 1982.
The centre was managed by the Ieramugadu Community Incorporated from 1983 and services were expanding to include training in and delivery of child care services.
By 1984, young nursing mothers, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, were accommodated on a short-term basis. There were six children (including two who were not wards of the State), and two parents at Yaandina when statistics were reported in 1984.
From 1991 to 1995 (Signposts p.584), Yaandina was funded through the Youth Supported Accommodation Program (YSAAP) to provide accommodation for youth.
Yaandina’s residential program for young people had closed by 1995.
From
1974
To
1995?
Alternative Names
Yaandina Babies and Children Centre
Yaandina Hostel
1974 - 1995?
Yaandina Family Centre was located on Hampton Street, Roebourne, Western Australia (Building Still standing)