Archives



Wanslea

Wanslea was established as a Home for young children in Cottesloe. It was run by a private management committee, taking private admissions. By the 1960s, children who were wards were also sent to Wanslea and in the 1980s, school-age children were placed there. From 1985 the model of ‘care’ changed from orphanage-style accommodation to cottage…

WA School for Deaf Children

The WA School for Deaf Children was established in East Perth in 1896 as the West Australian Deaf and Dumb Instution. It moved to Buckland Hill (Mosman Park) in 1900. This residential school admitted children of all ages, including those who were wards of the state and private boarders, until the residential section closed in…

Vailima Hostel

Vailima Hostel, in Narrogin accommodated Aboriginal girls and boys in a Christian environment while they went to school or work. It was associated with the Roelands Native Mission Farm and a local pastor from Narrogin. House parents lived at Vailima. Child welfare authorities placed children at Vailima. It closed on 25 November 1977. Vailima Hostel,…

Strelley Station

Strelley Station, in the Pilbara, was run by a local Aboriginal community. From at least 1981 to 1983, the Department for Community Welfare sent male and female Aboriginal teenagers who had been convicted of offences to Strelley so that they could receive practical training and guidance. Strelley Station was one of a number of pastoral…

South Hedland Group Home

South Hedland Group Home was established in 1979. It was government-run and provided emergency and short term accommodation for up to eight young Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children in a family setting. Another home, the Port Hedland Group Home, was also in the area, giving child welfare authorities a choice of placements. By at least 2000,…

Crossroads west

Crossroads west is the Salvation Army’s administrative body for youth residential and support programs. It was established in 1991 on the site of the Hollywood Children’s Village to administer its child and youth services programs in Western Australia. Crossroads west, the Salvation Army’s administration body for youth residential and support programs, was officially launched on…

Roelands Native Mission Farm

Roelands Native Mission Farm was established in 1938 and was run by a council of management with Protestant church associations. It began as a farm for Aboriginal families but by 1941 admitted only Aboriginal children. At first, children under 8 were placed at Roelands, but older children were later placed there. There were 85 boys…

Chandler Boys’ Farm

Chandler Boys’ Farm was established in 1932 on a property at Seven Hills on the banks of the Collie River at Roelands. It was a privately-run training centre for up to 20 unemployed boys aged over 14 years who were selected for placement. Some had parents who paid fees, but others were subsidised. The farm…

Presbyterian Church

The Presbyterian Church was established in the Crown Colony of Western Australia in 1879. In 1901, it joined with other States to form the Presbyterian Church of Australia and in 1977 became part of the Uniting Church in Australia. The Presbyterian Church in WA was involved with missions, Children’s Homes and Homes for children and…

Port Hedland Group Home

Port Hedland Group Home was established in 1977. It was government-run and provided emergency and short term accommodation for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children in Port Hedland. By 1979, another group home had been opened in South Hedland, giving child welfare authorities a choice of placements. The Port Hedland Group Home probably closed around 1983.