William Forster Try Boys' Society Records

William Forster Try Boys’ Society Records are held at the State Library of Victoria. They date from 1887 to 1986. The collection includes records about children who attended the Try Boys’ Society, who were placed in employment by the Society, or resided in institutions run by the Society.

Access Conditions

Conditional Access. Records dating up to the end of 1959 are available for reference. From 1960 on, available only with permission of the Board of Try Australia.

Records

This collection comprises material in a range of formats, including records, press clippings, photographs and video cassettes. There is a descriptive list available for reference at the State Library of Victoria.

The collection comprises records such as correspondence, annual reports, minutes of meetings, newsletters, publicity material and financial records.

This collection includes records about children who attended the Try Boys’ Society, who were placed in employment by the Society, or resided in institutions run by the Society. For example, the list refers to:

• Melrose Farm Records (includes lists of inmates): 1929-1960?
• List of Employers and Lads Engaged by them: 1894-1922
• Correspondence and details of Melrose Boys’ Home including reports of various boys in their care: 1950-1956
• Wages and Maintenance Account Book for individual boys: 1899-1918
• Probation Officer’s report book, Northcote Children’s Court: 1955-1959

This collection also contains material relating to other organisations, including the Gordon Institute and the City Newsboys’ Society.