Archives



John Oxley Youth Detention Centre

The John Oxley Youth Detention Centre in Wacol opened in 1987. Run by the state government, it catered for children placed in the care and control of the State, and those committed to the custody of the State. Serious offenders were held in the same facility, and shared accommodation with children who were unruly, difficult…

Carramar Receiving and Assessment Centre

The Carramar Receiving and Assessment Centre was a government-run children’s Home. Situated in North Ward, Townsville, it operated from 1967 to 1995. Previously, it was known as the Carramar Children’s Home. It ceased operating as a departmental institution in June 1995.

Therapeutic Adolescent Residential Assessment Unit

The Therapeutic Adolescent Residential Assessment Unit (TARA) in Townsville, was established in 1995, on the former site of the Carramar Receiving and Assesssment Centre. It was run by the State Governmnt. TARA closed on 11 May 2001.

Birralee Receiving and Assessment Centre

The Birralee Receiving and Assessment Centre came into being in 1967. It was a government-run institution situated in Rockhampton. Previously it was known as Birralee Children’s Home. On 23 November 1981 it was replaced by the Birralee Hostel.

Alexandra Cottage

Alexandra Cottage was a family group home situated at 50 Lorward Street, Bardon. It opened in September 1960, and was run by the Methodist Church until 1977, when the Uniting Church took over the running of the Home. Alexandra Cottage closed in 1993.

BoysTown

BoysTown, run by the De La Salle Brothers, was established in 1961. It was situated in Telemon Road, Beaudesert. BoysTown accommodated boys aged between 12 and 16 in seven cottages. The Beaudesert residential accommodation closed in 2001, and the buildings were demolished in 2017 or 2018. More than 1,000 boys passed through BoysTown during the…

Albion Lodge

Albion Lodge was a children’s Home in Bridge Street, Albion. It was operated by the De La Salle Brothers, in conjunction with BoysTown. It housed boys who had graduated from BoysTown. Albion Lodge opened in 1965 and the first boys moved in on 24 August that year. Albion Lodge closed in 1974. Albion Lodge was…

Turner Cottage Special School for Truants

Turner Cottage Special School for Truants was proclaimed a special school on 20 May 1938. It was located on the same site as the Mittagong Farm Home for Boys, and for a time, the school was under the administration of the Superintendent of Mittagong. When Anglewood Special School opened, boys from Turner Cottage were transferred…

Rehoboth

Rehoboth was a Home for Aboriginal girls run by the Aborigines’ Inland Mission. It was officially opened in March 1924. Elizabeth McKenzie Hatton, a white missionary (later secretary of the Australian Aborigines Progressive Association), was instrumental in the establishment of Rehoboth. According to the Encyclopedia of Women & Leadership, McKenzie Hatton’s intention for Rehoboth was:…

St Andrew’s Presbyterian Boys’ Hostel

St Andrew’s Presbyterian Boys’ Hostel, Dubbo, opened in 1923 as a boarding hostel that provided accommodation to boys from remote areas so they could attend high school in Dubbo. The hostel was owned by the Presbyterian Church. By 1945 the hostel had closed. St Andrew’s Presbyterian Boys’ Hostel, Dubbo, was officially opened in June 1923,…