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Colonial Surgeon’s Office, State Government of South Australia

The first Colonial Surgeon of South Australia was appointed in 1836. The duties of the Colonial Surgeon’s Office of South Australia include overseeing and advising the Government in relation to public health matters and sanitation, managing the Public Hospital, and acting as superintendent to the Lunatic Asylum. The Colonial Surgeon’s Office was also called the…

Inspector General of Hospitals Office, State Government of South Australia

The Inspector General of Hospitals Office was established in 1914, replacing the Colonial Surgeon’s Office. The Inspector General conducted visits and inspections of the public hospitals, asylums, and mental hospitals, and the superintendents of these institutions reported to the Inspector. In 1940 the Inspector General of Hospitals Office was replaced by the Hospitals Department.

Ministering Children’s League, Tasmanian Branch

The Ministering Children’s League was a British organisation founded in 1884, with branches operating globally and across Australia. The League conducted charitable work, such as supporting, fundraising for, and running various institutions such as hospitals, respite/convalescent homes, and children’s homes. The League was non-sectarian and included adult and child members. It operated with the objective…

Bethany Guest Home for Children of Sick and Expectant Mothers

Bethany Guest Home for Children of Sick and Expectant Mothers was located in Strathfield. It was established by the Legion of Catholic Women (an organisation known in 2021 as the Catholic Women’s League) in 1946. In 1948, the League applied to the Sisters of Mercy at Grafton to administer the Home for them. The Sisters…

Housing and Community Services Bureau, Australian Capital Territory

The Housing and Community Services Bureau was established on 14 December 1989. The aim of the Bureau was to provide and facilitate the delivery of housing and community services to individuals, facilities and the community. The Bureau operated under various administrative structures, but in 1995, the Housing and Community Services Bureau’s functions were separated. Some…

Library & Archives NT

Library & Archives NT was formed in 2019 following the merge of the Northern Territory Archives Service and the Northern Territory Library. Its organisational goal is to collect, preserve and provide access to historic and contemporary materials relating to the Northern Territory. It holds government records related to the history of the Northern Territory, including…

Department of Human Services, South Australia

The Department of Human Services was created in 2018 when the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion was renamed. The Department of Human Services has responsibilities for youth justice, disability services and child safety.

Catholic Family Welfare Bureau (Archdiocese of Melbourne)

The Catholic Family Welfare Bureau – Archdiocese of Melbourne was previously known as the Catholic Social Service Bureau. It was a Catholic social work organisation that administered applications for children to be admitted to Catholic children’s Homes in Victoria. It also counselled single mothers and arranged foster care placements and adoptions. The Catholic Family Welfare…

Sisters of Mercy, Geelong Congregation

The Sisters of Mercy, Geelong Congregation, a Catholic religious order of women from Ireland, was established in 1859. The Sisters provided care for girls at St Augustine’s Boys’ Orphanage before opening Our Lady’s Orphanage and St Joseph’s Industrial School for girls. In 1907 the Sisters of Mercy started to consolidate the number of congregations across…

Welfare House

Welfare House was a convalescent Home for mothers and children, on the corner of Alma Road and Chapel Street in East St Kilda. The Red Cross leased the property from around 1946 and until around 1953. Initially Welfare House provided accommodation for children of ex-servicemen whose mothers were in hospital. From around 1948, Welfare House…