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Melbourne Benevolent Asylum

The Melbourne Benevolent Asylum opened in 1851. Due to a lack of other institutions in the colony at the time it was established, the Benevolent Asylum initially accommodated a wide range of people in need. This included children, until 1857 when children were transferred to the Melbourne Orphan Asylum at its new site in Emerald…

Destitute Asylum

The Destitute Asylum was established in Adelaide by the Destitute Board in 1851. It provided accommodation for the destitute, including children and a separate lying-in Home for pregnant girls. In 1849, with the setting up of the new Destitute Board, the government took on more responsibility for the care of poor and neglected colonists. Initially…

Liverpool Asylum for the Infirm and Destitute

The Liverpool Asylum for the Infirm and Destitute was run by the New South Wales Government from 1862 until 1933. It had formerly been the Liverpool Asylum, run by the Benevolent Society. The Asylum provided refuge for men, including youths, described at the time as being “poor and infirm”. Those residents able to assist in…

Liverpool Asylum

The Liverpool Asylum was an asylum operated by the Benevolent Society of New South Wales from 1851 to 1862. It was for infirm and destitute men. It was taken over by the New South Wales Government in 1862 and renamed the Liverpool Asylum for the Infirm and Destitute. Records of the Hospital and Home were…

Thomas Street Asylum

The Thomas Street Asylum was established by the Benevolent Society of New South Wales in 1904. It was the only hospital in the city for destitute and homeless mothers nursing their infants. The Asylum also cared for orphans and foundlings who were usually discharged to the care of the State Children’s Relief Department. In 1911…

Benevolent Asylum, Sydney

The Benevolent Asylum, run by the Benevolent Society of New South Wales, was opened in 1821 by Governor Macquarie. It issued poor relief and took in the poor, destitute, disabled and aged but its main focus was pregnant women and children. The Benevolent Asylum closed in 1901 as the land was resumed by the government…

Ballarat Benevolent Asylum

The Ballarat Benevolent Asylum opened in 1859, in a building in Ascot Street. Until institutions specifically for children were established in Ballarat, many children were housed there. The Ballarat Benevolent Asylum closed its doors to children in 1869. Surviving records of the Benevolent Asylum include admission registers (1859-1900) and annual general reports (1859-1970). These records…