The Bimberi Youth Justice Centre, Mitchell, was established in 2008 to replace the Quamby Youth Detention Centre as the ACT’s youth custodial facility. It accommodates youth aged 10 to 18 years. Bimberi is the first youth custodial facility to be designed, built and operated under human rights legislation.
Galilee Inc. was established in the suburb of Pearce in around 1987. Its services included alternative education and living skills development programs, support, advocacy and assistance for young people dealing with homelessness. Galilee Inc. administered a foster care program for children and young people up to age 18. In 2011, Galilee Inc. merged with community…
Outreach House was established in 1976 and was run by the Richmond Fellowship of the ACT Inc. It provided housing for young people aged 11 to 18 years who were unable to live at home. The program promoted educational opportunities and participation in social and recreational activities. The House closed around 2016.
Open Family Canberra was founded in 1992. It provided foster care services, including a program specifically focussed on Indigenous children. In 2002 Open Family Canberra ceased operating in the Australian Capital Territory and its programs were incorporated into Galilee Inc.
Marlow Cottage, Kaleen, was established in 1986 under the Children’s Services Act 1986 and closed around 2016. It was originally known as Kaleen Youth Shelter and was run by the Welfare Branch, and later the Housing and Community Services Bureau of the ACT Government. It was established to provide accommodation for 12- to 17-year-olds who…
The Community Services Directorate is one of ten directorates in the Australian Capital Territory Government. The Community Services Directorate was established in 2011. The Directorate’s responsibilities include youth and family support services, child and family centres and community housing services. It was previously the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services.
The Quamby Youth Detention Centre in Symonston opened in 1962. It was a government-run facility, housing youth on short term remand, and (in the absence of any other facility) some children unable to live at home. Most ACT children who were sent to institutions in New South Wales initially spent some time in Quamby. In…
Marymead Child and Family Centre was established in 1967 in Narrabundah. It was run by the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, until the Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn took over responsibility in 1986. Marymead Child and Family Centre initially provided temporary residential care for children – placed by parents or by welfare officials. When it…
The Catholic Diocese of Goulburn was established in 1862, later including the city of Canberra and surrounding areas. It became the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn in 1948.
Barnardos Children’s Family Centre in Downer came into being in 1983 and replaced Barnardos House and Berwick House in Curtin. By the early 1990s Barnardos had shifted away from residential care to foster care and family support. From 1993 Barnardos Children’s Family Centre has run Find-a-Family ACT, a program organising permanent foster placements. Barnardos Children’s…
Dec 17, 2025
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Nov 15, 2024