The Australian Aboriginal Evangelical Mission (AAEM) Hostel in Esperance, Western Australia was established in 1966. It was an Aboriginal Education and Employment Hostel, providing accommodation, supervision and full board for Aboriginal boys aged 15 years and older who were working in the district. It was open until at least 1980.
The Australian Aboriginal Evangelical Mission (AAEM) Hostel was largely independent of the Department of Native Welfare, but some financial assistance was received for particular building projects. It appears that the hostel was run by Mr John Pedler (also known as Pedlar) for some years, possibly from 1966. It is not known how long Mr Pedler ran the hostel, but it was likely to have been until at least into the 1970s, when he went up to Kalgoorlie to run the Millen Street Hostel. The AAEM Hostel continued until at least 1980.
Boys who lived at AAEM were aged over 15 years. It is possible that some boys were wards of the State.
During the 1970s, the boys were able to learn panel-beating, spray-painting, welding and mechanical skills at the Boys Training Workshop that had been established in Esperance by the superintendent of the Fairhaven Hostel. Some young men completed apprenticeships there. The young people at the Fairhaven Hostel, Condingup Hostel and the AAEM Hostel socialised regularly in Esperance.
From
1966
To
1980?
Alternative Names
AAEM Hostel
Esperance Mission Home
Pedlar's Hostel
1966 - 1980?
The Australian Aboriginal Evangelical Mission Hostel was located at 25 Daphne Street, Esperance, Western Australia (Building Still standing)