Archives



Longmore Detention Centre

Longmore Detention Centre was the new name given in 1993 to what had previously been the Longmore Remand and Assessment Centre and the Longmore Training Centre, after these facilities were transferred from the Department for Community Development to the Ministry of Justice. The Longmore Detention Centre was designed to provide secure detention for up to…

Castledare Special School

Castledare Special School was established in 1929 in Queen’s Park (later, Wilson) by the Christian Brothers. Its purpose was to provide a specialised institution for up to 30 boys (including non-Catholics) with intellectual disabilities. Admissions were low so the special school was closed at the start of 1934. Later in 1934, a mainstream residential Catholic…

Yirra Hostel

Yirra Hostel, also known as the Mount Lawley Hostel, was established in 1986 by the Jesus People for up to 17 young Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal men, through referrals from child welfare authorities or by self-referral. It aimed to provide medium-term support and accommodation in a family-type environment, and residents could stay until they felt ready…

Carmel House

Carmel House, in Morley, was established in 1983 by the Jesus People (also known as Perth City Mission) for up to 15 young people withdrawing from drug or alcohol dependence. Up to six young women and nine young men could be accommodated, through referrals from child welfare authorities or by self-referral. Carmel House closed in…

Darlot Street Hostel, Meekatharra

Darlot Street Hostel, Meekatharra, was a government-run hostel established in 1981 to accommodate mainly Aboriginal children going to school in Meekatharra. By 1983, a second hostel (in Consols Road) was opened, giving child welfare authorities the ability to place boys and girls in separate hostels. Darlot Street seems to have accommodated girls. By 1986, it…

Kalgoorlie Group Home, Graeme Street

Kalgoorlie Group Home, Graeme Street continued what had been the government-run Kalgoorlie Hostel from around 1993. It has been used by child welfare authorities for short to medium term accommodation for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children aged from birth to over 18 years, some of whom have been involved in the youth justice system. It remained…

Kurrawang Cottage, Boulder

Kurrawang Cottage, Boulder was established in 1977 as part of the Kurrawang Mission run by the Christian Brethren. Its purpose was to provide accommodation for Aboriginal children from Kurrawang to take part in community life as well as going to school in Kalgoorlie. It closed in 1980 and the property was later used for the…

Medina Hostel

Medina Hostel was a government-run community support hostel for children aged 6-17 years. It was located in premises previously used by the Medina Education and Employment Hostel and accommodated children, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal who may or may not have been wards of the State. Medina Hostel closed around 1990. Government reports (Signposts 2004, pp.329-330) show…

Darlington Cottage

Darlington Cottage was established in 1974 as a government-run group home for up to 10 school-age boys whom authorities believed would not be able to settle into foster care. In 1977, Darlington became part of the Hillston detention centre program. According to government reports (Signposts 2004, pp.183-184), Darlington Cottage was a large house, able to…

Bethel Home McCallum Crescent

Bethel Home McCallum Crescent, Adross, was established in 1971 by Bethel Inc, a non-denominational independent mission society. It was an Aboriginal education and employment hostel, providing accommodation for up to 12 high school age Aboriginal children (girls and boys) who came from all over Western Australia. It had closed by 1982.