Records of Nyandi Training Centre

The State Records Office of Western Australia (SROWA) holds a collection of records created by Nyandi Training Centre. The records cover the dates 1970 – 1992, from the opening of Nyandi until its initial closure, and as such include records of both girls and boys housed there, as well as those of young people on remand. The collection includes client files, behaviour and medical reports, admission and discharge registers and cards, property sheets, incident/unusual occurrence reports, staff diaries, non-peer contact (exclusion/time out) files, and suggestion books.

Access

These records are restricted for 75 years from the date of their creation. Permission from the Department of Justice will need to be granted in order to access these records.

Records

The records of Nyandi Training Centre at the State Records Office of Western Australia include:

• Client Files, 1970 – 1992. Contains files for each girl accommodated at Nyandi Training Centre, including information such as background, family details, medical and psychological reports, educational history, and any incidents involving them at Nyandi. These records are restricted for 75 years. SROWA reference S1922.
• Behaviour Monitoring Booklets, 1970 – 1992. Contains booklets for each child at Nyandi Training Centre recording major and minor incidents involving them at the Centre. These records are restricted for 75 years. SROWA reference S1923.
• Client Files, 1987 – 1992. Contains files for each boy accommodated at Nyandi Training Centre. Likely contain the same types of information as found in the girls’ client files (S1922), but SROWA does not provide this detail in its description. These records are restricted for 75 years. SROWA reference S1924.
• Files – Unusual Occurrences, 1974 – 2001. Contains a record of unusual occurrences at Nyandi Training Centre, including information such as name of child/children involved, date, time, staff involved, type of occurrence, action taken subsequently, details of staff injury or property damage, time taken out by child, etc. These records are restricted for 75 years. SROWA reference S1932.
• Admission Cards, 1970 – 1992. Contains details of each child on admission, including name, age, date of birth, family details, physical appearance and clothing, and places the child was most likely to be if they absconded. Sometimes the cards included admission dates, a photograph of the child, details of their movements whilst in custody, and case histories in care. These records are restricted for 75 years. SROWA reference S1933.
• Files – Non Peer Contact, 1987 – 1991. Contains records of discipline procedures at Nyandi Training Centre, where children were excluded from contact with their peers as a result of particular behaviour. Includes name of the excluded child, date of and reason for the exclusion, and other details. These records are restricted for 75 years. SROWA reference S1934.
• Diaries, 1971 – 1975. Daily diaries kepy by staff recording events, activities, and actions of children at Nyandi. These records are restricted for 75 years. SROWA reference S1935.
• Medical Records, 1979 – 1992. Contains records of medical conditions and treatments of children at Nyandi. These records are restricted for 75 years. SROWA reference S1936.
• Suggestion Book, 1970 – 1971. Contains suggestions for improvements in housekeeping, training, and medical treatment for children at Nyandi. These records are restricted for 75 years. SROWA reference S2044.
• Registers – Admissions and Discharges, 1971 – 1987. Contains details of children admitted to Nyandi, including name, parents’ names, dates of admission and discharge, religion, where assigned on discharge, and general remarks, often including contact details for parents. These records are restricted for 75 years. SROWA reference S2045.
• Property Sheets, 1989 – 1990. Contains records of children’s property with them at the time of admission to Nyandi. These records are restricted for 75 years. SROWA reference S2046.
• Behaviour Records, 1987 – 1991. Contains monthly behaviour records for particular children at Nyandi. These records are restricted for 75 years. SROWA reference S2047.