Archives



On Track

On Track began operating in 1994 under the auspice of Stretch-A-Family Inc, working with young people aged fifteen to eighteen to provide residential care and preparation for independent living. On Track ceased operating in 2020 when Stretch-A-Family stopped providing out-of-home care.

Young People’s Refuge

The Young People’s Refuge opened as a crisis centre in Chippendale in 1975. It was linked with Stretch-A-Family. In 1991 it was based in Marrickville and offered 24-hour crisis accommodation to girls aged 13-17. In 2013 it has two refuges in inner-western Sydney and is linked to Detour House, a supported accommodation service that includes…

Our Children’s Home

Our Children’s Home at Concord, also known as Ardill House, was established in 1918 at Davidson Avenue by the Society for Providing Homes for Neglected Children. It was a children’s home until 1982, when it was converted to administration for the Society, and then to a child care centre. Our Children’s Home, Concord, was one…

Our Babies Home

Our Babies Home was founded in Enmore in 1894 by George Edward Ardill’s Society for Providing Homes for Neglected Children. It moved to Knox Street, Newtown in 1897 then to Albemarle Street, Camperdown in 1901. Our Babies Home closed in 1904 and the children moved to the Society’s new premises at Rockdale.

Camp Toukley

Camp Toukley, located on the Central Coast of New South Wales, was originally built as a holiday camp for children living at Lutanda Children’s Home. Operated by Lutanda Children’s Services it opened in 1954 on 27 acres of land. Over time its main purpose changed to running Christian holiday camps for groups of children, family…

Kemblawarra Child and Family Centre Inc.

Kemblawarra Child and Family Centre Inc. was opened in 1980 at Port Kembla as a 24-hour emergency care service for children aged from birth to 12 years of age. The emergency care function ceased to exist in 1991 but in 1998 the service provided day care and counselling. Kemblawarra Child and Family Centre Inc was…

Lutanda Children’s Home

Lutanda Children’s Home was established in Wentworth Falls in 1930 by Miss Florence Dalwood. After Dalwood’s death in 1949, Lutanda moved into a large purpose-built orphanage on Boundary Road in Pennant Hills which later housed around 50 to 60 children in separate buildings for boys and girls. Lutanda closed in 1984. The Lutanda Children’s Home…

Sydney Foundling Hospital

The Sydney Foundling Hospital was the new name given to the Sydney Foundling Institution in October 1874. In 1875, the Hospital moved from Darlinghurst into new premises at Port View House, Stewart Street, Paddington. In 1876, with philanthropic help, the committee purchased “Gorton”, a large house on five acres on Henry St, Ashfield. In 1877,…

The Infants’ Home, Ashfield

The Infants’ Home, Ashfield was established in Henry Street, Ashfield in 1877. Previously, it had been located in Stewart Street, Paddington, and known as the Sydney Foundling Hospital. The Infants’ Home, Ashfield was a lying-in hospital and pioneered the practice of keeping mothers and babies together after the birth, and helping mothers find work. It…

Sydney Foundling Institution

The Sydney Foundling Institution was founded in May 1874 as a non-church affiliated refuge for abandoned babies and single mothers, run by a committee of women. Its first location was on Victoria Street, Darlinghurst. In October 1874, the institution changed its name to the Sydney Foundling Hospital and soon after, in 1875, moved to Stewart…