Archives



Ardross House

Ardross House opened in 1971 when Mogumber was being replaced by a number of small homes in Perth suburbs. At first, Ardross House was used for short term placements for up to eight girls aged 12-17 years, providing a base for Aboriginal children and young people to go to school and obtain other training in…

Applecross Cottage

Applecross Cottage opened in 1970 as a suburban cottage which was part of Mogumber. It was run by the Methodist Overseas Mission (1972-1974), Mogumber Training Centre (1974-1980) and Sister Kate’s Child and Family Care Services (1980-1985). In 1975, Applecross provided short term care for up to eight children aged 5 to 17 years in a…

Alvan House

Alvan House was established in 1950 by the Department of Native Affairs to provide metropolitan accommodation for Aboriginal schoolgirls in Mount Lawley. In 1959, responsibility for running Alvan House passed to the Baptist Union and Aboriginal ‘working boys’ rather than female students, were accommodated. In 1961, Katukutu Employment Hostel moved into the premises. Alvan House…

Wyadra Hostel

Wyadra Hostel, run by the Blind, Deaf and Dumb Institution, opened in New Town in 1952. It was initially for children with partial hearing and later for those with no hearing. The Hostel closed in 1957. Wyadra Hostel opened officially on 21 April 1952 in Clare Street, New Town. The Institute for the Blind and…

St Vincent de Paul Society Home for Boys at Waterton Hall

The St Vincent de Paul Society Home for Boys at Waterton Hall opened in 1978. It offered homeless boys accommodation, the opportunity to finish their schooling, and if they were over school age, training in farming. The Home closed in the 1990s. Waterton Hall was originally the site of a small Catholic girls’ school which…

Mara House

Mara House opened in Hobart in 1985. Community Hostels originally ran it. Until 1997, Mara was an approved children’s Home. In 2018, Mara accommodates young women aged 13 to 18. It is run by Colony 47. Mara House was funded by the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program which also began in 1985. This Home was an…

St Vincent de Paul Boys’ Hostel

The St Vincent de Paul Boys’ Hostel opened in Invermay in the early 1970s. It was for homeless adolescent boys. The Hostel closed in about 1980. A Mr Ferrall opened the Hostel after organising dances for young people. He asked one boy who went to them regularly, always shoeless and in old clothes, why he…

Blind, Deaf and Dumb Institution

The Blind, Deaf and Dumb Institution, run by the Society for the Blind, Deaf and Dumb, opened in North Hobart in 1898. It provided an education and industrial training to adults and children with hearing and sight disabilities. There was accommodation for the country children who attended the school on the site. The Institution closed…

Yalambee Hostel

Yalambee Hostel opened in Glenorchy in 1958. At first, the Retarded Children’s Welfare Association ran it with the Retarded Citizens’ Welfare Association taking over in 1982. Oakdale Services Tasmania replaced them in 1992. The original purpose of the Hostel was to accommodate country children with intellectual disabilities so that they could attend a special school…

Omaru Hostel

Omaru Hostel opened in Launceston in 1968. It provided accommodation for about three older boys who had started paid work. The Hostel closed in the mid 1970s. Omaru Hostel was in the same building as the former Omaru Receiving Home. A married couple ran Omaru Hostel in exchange for free accommodation. The boys paid them…