Junior Red Cross Home, Glenelg

The Junior Red Cross Home opened at Glenelg in 1959. Run by the Red Cross it operated as a convalescent Home for up to 35 children recuperating from illness or in need of emergency accommodation. It took in children from the former Lady Hore-Ruthven Junior Red Cross Home and the Lady Norrie Junior Red Cross Children’s Home which had closed. The Glenelg Home closed in 1968.

The Junior Red Cross Home opened at 10 Robert Street, Glenelg on 17 August 1959. Run by the Red Cross it initially operated as a convalescent Home, taking in children who had been accommodated in the former Lady Hore-Ruthven Junior Red Cross Home and the Lady Norrie Junior Red Cross Children’s Home. These two Homes had closed when all of the Junior Red Cross Homes were consolidated on the same site. The building occupied by the new Home was formerly the Lady Galway Convalescent Home for ex-service personnel.

In 1960, according to Annual Reports, policies relating to the types of children eligible for admittance to the Home were reviewed. From that time the Home not only took in children who were recuperating from illness, but also took in children in need of temporary or emergency care due to their family situation. The Home accommodated up to 35 children between the ages of 3 an 10 years of age. The majority of children stayed for up to one month. In 1961 the Junior Red Cross Home was registered as an approved private Hospital.

In 1968 the Annual Report of the Home noted concern about ‘continuing low occupancy’, suggesting that ‘it would appear that the Home has outlived its usefulness as a community necessity’. The Home closed in December 1968. In 1969 the property was sold with plans for the building to be demolished and the site used for flats.